The Kural · Question
How does The Kural develop the theme of Karma and Destiny?
Answer
The Kural by Thiruvalluvar develops Karma and Destiny across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The concept of Ûj (karma) is central, explaining that actions accumulate potential energy that influences future births, serving as a sanction for righteousness and emphasizing that evil deeds pursue their author.
The chapter on destiny explains Ûj as the accumulated force of past actions, serving as a sanction for righteous living.
Righteousness is described as the path to heaven and the means to wall up the road to future births, linking virtuous action to karmic outcomes.
The chapter stresses that evil deeds inevitably lead to the doer's destruction, illustrating karmic retribution.
Evidence in the book
- Part I: Righteousness
The chapter on destiny explains Ûj as the accumulated force of past actions, serving as a sanction for righteous living.
- IV: The Glorification of Righteousness
Righteousness is described as the path to heaven and the means to wall up the road to future births, linking virtuous action to karmic outcomes.
- XXI: Fear of Evildoing
The chapter stresses that evil deeds inevitably lead to the doer's destruction, illustrating karmic retribution.
- Mercy
The chapter warns that those who forsake mercy suffer in past births and face dire consequences in the afterlife, linking mercy to karmic outcomes.
- XXIX: Abstaining from Fraud
It warns that fraudulent gains are doomed and that righteousness leads to eternal rewards, reflecting a karmic view of justice.
- XXXVII: The Killing of Desire
Desire is described as the seed of rebirth, linking personal longing to the cycle of karma and the destiny of the soul.
- XXXVIII: Destiny
The entire chapter is devoted to the power of destiny, illustrating how fate governs fortune, intelligence, and the outcome of human efforts.
- LX: Energy
Implies that one's energy and activity determine their fortunes, linking personal effort to the unfolding of destiny.
