The Destiny Paradox

We often say, “It was destined to happen” when something remarkable or unexpected occurs, specially the events that defy logical explanation or fairness. This perception offers comfort and closure, especially during tragedy. We find solace in believing that it is part of a higher power’s plan.

Destiny is not same for everyone. We will not be wrong if we say that it works on a sliding scale – intervening sometimes and stepping back sometimes! Giving opportunities to all to make their choices, good or bad. We hear and notice this phenomenon almost every day, everywhere. At times just hiding in plain sight.

There are numerous examples that are worth quoting from different countries, cities, neighbourhood, even our own families. However, without encroaching on their privacy, consider some of the examples where destiny shows up in full force –The abandoned child somewhere in Mumbai left to die, found exactly by the right people willing to love and nurture. Here love unlocked the child’s potential. In an impossible survival, a man walks away from a recent plane crash in Ahmedabad that kills everyone else. An elderly woman is pulled out from earthquake rubble in Turkiye by rescue workers following a “hunch” after 222 hours along with her 2 children. In perfect timing, a missed flight saves someone’s life in USA during the 9/11 tragedy. In each of these cases, the person(s) had no or little control to choose their circumstances. In all these examples, divine intervention seemed to activate precisely when human choice could not.

Now consider the darker scenarios that haunt everyone – People with relatively decent lives, including some with celebrity status, capable of making rational choices, commit rape, murder or theft. They had alternatives, support system and capacity to choose differently. Yet they choose evil. In these scenarios, why did the divine not intervene to stop the rapist or the murderer or warn the victim? Or was the victim destined to be murdered or raped!

Then, what does the ancient wisdom say on destiny.

Bhagwat Gita emphasises individual responsibility and the universal law of cause and effect. Every action –physical, mental or emotional- produces consequences that return to the doer. This shapes their present and future through Karma. It teaches that while one’s karma may influence the present, every person has the freedom to choose righteous action – Dharma. Death is necessary for evolution of soul.

Bible holds individuals morally accountable for their actions to choose life, while at the same time talks of divine intervention, which provides support to the helpless. Also attributing survival or death to God’s will, stressing that each life is part of a larger purpose and unexpected miracles can occur.

Buddhist teachings speak of compassionate forces helping those who cannot help themselves, while Karma ensures that our choices create inescapable consequences.

The pattern that emerges is clear.

When human control is minimal or absent:

• Divine intervention – is at its maximum.

• Collective destiny – Others choices, influence and actions becomes crucial.

• Individual destiny – nearly irrelevant.

When there is full human control:

• Individual destiny –primary responsibility lies with personal choices and actions

• Collective destiny: Social influence, choices and action matters but cannot be an excuse.

• Divine destiny – withdraws to honour free will.

This apparently creates a divine justice system, where forces beyond human control protect those who cannot choose for themselves, and at times through divine intervention initiating collective destiny, while those capable of exercising choice bear proportional responsibility for their decisions – good or bad.

So how do we live with this understanding?

Act, as if your choices matter completely—because they will affect you and others.

Trust that your actions will protect the innocent – not always in ways you can see or understand.

Take full responsibility of your decisions and actions, but every outcome may not be in your control.

Be of help to others – your compassion or help may shape somebody’s destiny.

Some questions remain unanswered. Why do good people suffer in their present life and why do cunning continue to thrive!

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**The conversation continues – have you experienced moments that felt destined? Times when you sensed forces beyond coincidence at work? Or have you seen terrible consequences of unchecked human choice? Share your story –it might be exactly what someone else may need to read today…

Destiny may still never be fully understood fully and remain a mystery.