Prarabdha karma

Definition

Prarabdha karma refers to the portion of karma that is responsible for the current life and its experiences. It represents actions from past lives that have begun to bear fruit and thus must be experienced in the present life. This concept emphasizes the significance of both past actions and their consequences in shaping one's current existence and afterlife journey.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prarabdha karma is specifically related to the current physical body and the experiences tied to it, as opposed to sanchita karma, which is the total accumulated karma from all past lives.
2. It is believed that prarabdha karma can influence one's circumstances, including health, relationships, and opportunities during their current life.
3. According to Hindu philosophy, while prarabdha karma must be experienced, individuals can still shape their future by performing good deeds (punya) that create positive karma.
4. The experience of prarabdha karma is often seen as an essential part of spiritual growth and learning, leading towards eventual liberation.
5. Understanding prarabdha karma helps individuals accept their life's challenges and hardships as necessary experiences for spiritual evolution.

Review Questions

• How does prarabdha karma differentiate from other forms of karma in influencing one's current life?
  • Prarabdha karma specifically refers to the portion of accumulated karma that is currently affecting one's life experiences. Unlike sanchita karma, which encompasses all past actions yet to manifest, prarabdha karma has already begun to show results in the present life. This distinction is important as it highlights how specific past actions are responsible for current conditions while still allowing room for new actions to shape future experiences.
• Discuss how the understanding of prarabdha karma can impact an individual's approach to life's challenges.
  • Understanding prarabdha karma encourages individuals to view their life's challenges as integral parts of their spiritual journey. By recognizing that difficulties may stem from past actions, people can cultivate acceptance and resilience. This awareness shifts focus from blame or despair to learning and growth, promoting a proactive approach in creating positive karma through new actions despite current hardships.
• Evaluate the implications of prarabdha karma on beliefs about afterlife destinations in Hinduism and Buddhism.
  • The concept of prarabdha karma plays a crucial role in shaping beliefs about afterlife destinations in both Hinduism and Buddhism. In these traditions, individuals carry forward their accumulated karma into subsequent lives, influencing their rebirth based on past actions. Prarabdha karma directly determines the circumstances faced in the current life, which in turn affects one's spiritual progress. Ultimately, resolving this current karmic experience is key to attaining moksha or liberation from the cycle of samsara, highlighting a continuous journey towards spiritual enlightenment.

Related terms

Karma: The law of cause and effect where every action has a corresponding reaction, influencing future experiences and rebirths.

Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, driven by the accumulation of karma.

Moksha: The liberation from the cycle of samsara, achieved when one has resolved all karma, leading to ultimate peace and union with the divine.