Why What We Do Does Not Matter

Why does what we do not matter?

I reached that conclusion because of a concept in Hindu philosophy called Prarabdha Karma.

Here is what I got from a Google search and a Wikipedia page:

According to Sri Swami Sivananda: “Prarabdha is that portion of the past karma which is responsible for the present body. That portion of the sanchita karma which influences human life in the present incarnation is called prarabdha. It is ripe for reaping. It cannot be avoided or changed. It is only exhausted by being experienced. You pay your past debts. Prarabdha karma is that which has begun and is actually bearing fruit. It is selected out of the mass of the sanchita karma.

Each lifetime, a certain portion of the sanchita karma, most suited for the spiritual evolution at the time, is chosen to be worked out, during the course of the lifetime. Subsequently, this Prarabdha Karma creates circumstances which we are destined to experience in our present lifetime, they also place certain limitations via our physical family, body or life circumstances we are born into, as charted in our birth chart or horoscope, collectively known as fate or destiny (determinism).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prarabdha_karma

The key concepts are that our Prarabdha karma is ripe for reaping and it cannot be changed or avoided. Whatever will be will be not matter what we do or don’t do.

Now I don’t know if there is a logical proof for this concept or it is just a revelation or insight of the mystics. The Wiki page above gives the reference of Sage Vasistha and his book Yoga Vasistha. The Hindu sage Ramana Maharshi is also quoted above and he also believed in this doctrine.

Some people might think that such a philosophy enslaves us. I think on the other hand that this belief might help free our energies and talents.

I have some anecdotal evidence regarding this:

1. Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the greatest men in history, believed in fate or destiny.
2. Dale Carnegie, in his book How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, has given the account of R.V.C Bodley. Mr Bodley lived for seven years with the Arabs in the Sahara as a wandering shepherd. The Arabs believed that what is written is written. This may be regarded as fatalism but the seven years that Mr. Bodley spent with them were the most peaceful and contented years of his life.
3. The great Dutch philosopher Spinoza denied free will and his philosophy proves it. From a Google search:

Spinoza was an adamant determinist, and he denied the existence of free will. This led to much controversy concerning his philosophy in subsequent centuries. He was, in fact, one of the first modern philosophers to both defend determinism and deny free will.

Spinoza on Free Will and Freedom

So science and logic have not been able to prove that determinism is a false doctrine. The Arabs have had their way of life for more than 1,400 years and Spinoza lived in the 17^th century. Nobody has proved them false.

If you accept that what will be will be then your mind stops worrying and thinking fruitlessly. You are free then to do what you think is right. You don’t spend your time overthinking your plans or indulging in vain regrets. What is the point in doing so when that which is inevitable will come to pass.

For example I take spirituality seriously and sometimes I get the feeling that perhaps the path I have chosen is not the right path and will not lead to enlightenment. But according to the doctrine of Prarabdha Karma there is nothing I can do to cause it to happen. So why worry.

Use your intelligence, make your plans and execute them as best you are able. But leave aside worrying about the results. This is in line with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

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