Have you ever wondered if fate is all that there is or is there any free will? Are we just destined for a particular outcome, or can we influence the future? Do you know what is Maya in Hinduism or how much of it affects you? How is Jiva’s life determined by fate and free will? Let us find out.
Maya
Before we talk about fate and free will, let’s look at -“what is Maya in Hinduism.” Sarva-upaniṣad describes Maya as that power, which is beginningless and can create the entire universe. It is important to note that it neither real because it has no control or does not exist separately from Brahman. Nor is it unreal as we can perceive and experience. We are able to experience Maya with the help of expressions of avarana, which is hiding and covering. Lastly, viksepa, which includes agitation and wrong impressions. Both of these together allow us to feel Maya around us.
Fate and Freewill
One fact we can be sure of is that actions and thoughts have consequences. The cycle is as follows. Our past actions, which equals are free will, determine what we face in the present – this is our self-made destiny.
Hinduism teaches an exciting blend of fate and free will. How we face our situations, the actions we take in the present is our free will. Every thought, word, and deed creates an impression that alters our path, changing our destiny. As a result, it will determine the fate of our future.
Both fate and free will equally play an important role in our lives at all times. Basically, we create a blueprint for our future based on our actions in the present. We must remember that we qualify and limit our free will. In turn, we decide our free will through our actions and habits. There is no point in trying to decide how much free will and destiny are at play. What we need to do is break the cycle by using all current vasanas without creating any new ones.
