Sambodhi 1982 Vol 11

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 14

FREE-WILL AND DESTINY
M. P. Lakhani
According as we believe in free-will or not shall we regulate and conduct the course of our lives. If fatalism is a fact, all human efforts for progress in any channel of life is a waste. There is no purpose in it, there is no initiative for it. If there is free-will, by effort, one can change, improve and control his life, and his future as well as social life and future of society.
We see that life is controlled, partly, by forces of nature, and partly we control nature. Since we control nature we must be free. Then what is the nature of this freedom? What is that force in us that controls ? Is it external or is it internal, and what is its mode of operation ?
According to the Karmic Law-the Law of cause and effectour birth in particular surroundings, our body, our physical, moral and intellectual capacities, our environments, are all the result of our past Karmas. One is rich, the other poor; one is beautiful, the other ugly; ono is healthy, the other crippled-all this is due to our past Karmas Science and Astrology shows man's destiny: From his birth to his death and even bis history previous to his birth and history after his death is an open book to an astrologer. Theosophical and Hindu literature tell as that the events in the evolution of a human race are fixed. A new root-race appears and disappears at a particular time. Every stane of its evolution is predetermind. The whole plan-the past, the present and the future-is known to the Beings guiding our destinies It is a fixed, predetermined pattern and we all have to fit in. And sicce we all have to fit in to produce the parteid, our positions and parts must be fixed; and hence we have no freedom.
Free-willer says it is true that our personality is affected by our Karmas, that the development of our Ego depends on our Karmas, but the Monad is free and wills what an individual is to be. But, says the fatalist. who placed the Mopad there? Who ordered the existence of the Monad 7 The Master-planer of-course. But since the plan is a fixed thing, how can the Monad will any thing contrary to the plan ? And if it wills that which the Master-planer bas ordained, how is the Monad free?
The free-willer says that at parting of the ways it is the individual who decides which way to take. Since there is nothing to hinder or force