When Everything is Pre-Destined, Why Should We Still Make an Effort to Achieve Something?
Sage Parashurama once posed a profound question to Lord Dattatreya:
“If everything is already written by destiny, what is the use of our efforts?”
To this, Sri Dattatreya replied:
“Just like in a battle between two rams, the stronger one wins — in life, too, among the forces of past karma (destiny) and present effort, the stronger one prevails.”
Destiny is nothing but the outcome of your past karma, and the present karma is the effort you’re making now. The key is — you don’t know the weight or strength of your past karma, so never underestimate the power of your present karma, which is completely in your hands.
What Does the Bhagavad Gita Say About Effort and Destiny?
Sri Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, consistently encourages Arjuna to perform his Swadharma (righteous duty). Even when Arjuna wanted to renounce everything and walk away from the battlefield, Krishna said:
“Karmanye vadhikaraste, Ma Phaleshou Kadachana”
(You have the right to perform your actions, but not to the results thereof.)
This shloka alone teaches us that we are meant to act — not sit idle waiting for destiny to unfold. Krishna didn’t tell Arjuna to surrender to fate but to rise and fight.
Why Effort is Not Opposed to Destiny But Complements It
Here’s a simple analogy:
Think of your past karma as a flowing river. You may not be able to stop its flow immediately, but with effort (present karma), you can build a dam, divert the current, or even use the flow to generate power. Effort gives you agency even within the boundaries of destiny.
Does Spirituality Encourage Escape or Engagement?
A common misconception is that spiritual people “leave everything to God” and do nothing. True spirituality, however, is never about escaping life’s responsibilities. It is about being deeply committed, detached in expectations, yet fully engaged in action.
That’s why saints, rishis, and avatars were never inactive. Rama fought for Dharma, Krishna strategized in war, Hanuman crossed oceans. Spirituality inspires strength, not surrender to helplessness.
How to Strengthen Your Present Karma?
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Perform good deeds (Satkarma)
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Practice Japa and meditation to purify the mind
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Do Dāna (charity) to reduce ego and increase compassion
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Serve others and offer your actions to God (Nishkama Karma)
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Avoid laziness and procrastination in the name of fate
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