When people hear the word destiny, they often imagine uncontrollable luck or fortune, a cosmic lottery that randomly hands out blessings or struggles. But the ancient scriptures, such as the Padma Purana, convey something far deeper. Destiny is not arbitrary luck, but the inevitable result of cause and effect, shaped by actions carried over many lifetimes.

In the Padma Purana, it is beautifully stated:

“At the time of conception in the womb, the fate of five things is already decided based on the accumulated effects of one’s past karmas: the total wealth one will acquire, one’s occupation, education, lifespan, and the manner and place of one’s death.” (Padma Purana, relevant verse)

This passage highlights that the major turning points and limitations of our lives are set before birth, determined not by random fortune but by the results of our prior actions across incarnations.

Destiny: The Fruit of Karma, Not Mere Luck
Destiny is neither a gift nor a curse it is justice. It is the ripening of seeds we planted in previous lives. Our bank of karma, not instant luck, decides what we experience. If we wonder why certain events seem “pre-decided,” it’s because they manifest as results of actions from before.
Yet, destiny is not rigid in every detail. To understand more, let’s explore the three types of karma known in Vedic philosophy:

Sanchit Karma – The total accumulated karma from all prior lifetimes. It’s like a huge storehouse of both good and bad deeds, holding potential results to be experienced in future lives.

Prarabdha Karma – The specific portion of sanchit karma chosen for the current lifetime; this is what we must face today be it joy or challenge. Our birth, family, education, occupation, lifespan, and even the manner and time of death all arise from prarabdha karma.

Kriyamana (Agami) Karma – The new karma created by our current thoughts, decisions, and actions. Most of these deeds will bear fruit in future incarnations, not instantly in this life, with only a few giving us a taste of instant karma.

So, what happens when destiny unfolds in ways we cannot change? Here lies the true domain of freewill.

Freewill: Inner Peace, Mindset, and Acceptance

Though outer circumstances, especially those shaped by prarabdha karma may be fixed, our mindset, response, and spiritual attitude remain absolutely within our control. This is the true playground of freewill.

Consider the example of enlightened saints like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, who suffered the pain of cancer—yet maintained profound spiritual bliss. Even Gautama Buddha encountered illness and struggle, but neither let their suffering disrupt inner serenity. Destiny (past karma) gave them harsh tests, but their spiritual growth freed them from mental pain and turmoil that others would endure in similar conditions.

Take a common scenario: Two people face sudden financial loss. One dwells in anger and frustration, perpetuating suffering and mental distress. The other accepts the situation, lets go, and preserves inner calm choosing not to invest energy in what cannot be changed. Here, the event is destiny, the reaction is freewill. The latter does not allow suffering to multiply, or pain to ripple needlessly through life.