His mercy explained

May 04, 2015 01:07 am | Updated 01:07 am IST

It is assured that in the case of the one who resorts to surrender (Saranagati), all his past karma (Sanchita Karma) and all his future karma (Aagaami) are nullified by the Lord. But he must face the consequences of his prarabdha karma. That alone is not waived, said M.A.Venkatakrishnan, in a discourse. We may wonder, why the all powerful One does not waive the results of prarabdha karma also. If he can waive the results of the Sanchita karma and nullify the effects of Aagaami Karma, why does He not get rid of the results of Prarabdha karma too? Why should He make us pay for that part of our sins alone? Why can’t He make them disappear?

The answer is that if we had a cushy life, and no problems at all, we will never want to leave this world. If the elders in our family remain as energetic in their old age, as when they were young, we will never want to let them go. It is only when people age, when they feel that the problems of this world are manifold, that they will be mentally prepared to leave. And it is only when the elders in our family age and become frail, that we become mentally prepared to let them go. So problems are His way of making us want to reach His abode.

Also, if we did not have to stay on and face the consequences of prarabdha karma, then surrender would mean an instant release from this life. And if that were to happen, would we ever surrender? This life has its hold on us and has its charms for us. If we were told that our prarabdha karma too will be taken care of and moksha is imminent the moment we surrender, then even the best of us will run away from Saranagati! So making us stay on to pay for prarabdha karma is also a part of His mercy. He lets us live on until we ourselves tire of this life and are ready to depart to His abode.

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