Since time immemorial, people have believed in the power of astrology, of religion, and in the existence of a pre-defined path that governs all the moments of their lives. In almost all the belief systems of the world, Fate and Karma are two invaluably important concepts. The two terms can be confused for one another, but in truth, these are two slightly different ideas.
Fate vs Karma
The main difference between Fate and Karma is that Fate is something that is bound to happen in the near or distant future, while Karma can be explained as a concept wherein one gets the future based on his or her doings. Fate is also known as destiny, and Karma as a concept has been iterated time and again by multiple religions.
Fate is another term for destiny. It is something that has already been decided and is bound to happen. No force of nature or law can change one’s fate. It can be understood as a pre-determined timeline of life that cannot be altered.
Karma, on the other hand, means that one’s future or present is a result of their actions. This is in simple terms, means that if one does good work, they are rewarded, but if their actions or “karma” are evil, then the result too will be detrimental. This entire concept is summed up as Karma.
Comparison Table Between Fate and Karma
| Parameters of Comparison | Fate | Karma |
| Definition | Fate is a pre-decided order of events and actions in one’s life. | Karma as a concept makes the actions of a person the determining factor of their life events. |
| Determining Factor | Fate is based on the will of the Almighty. | One’s actions and work are the determining factors in the philosophy of Karma. |
| Authority | A person has no authority over his or her fate. It remains unchanged. | A person has control over his or her Karma. It is an individual’s actions that shape karma. |
| Choice | One does not have a choice or an option of altering their fate. | Karma is based on the choices a person makes in his or her journey of life. |
| Origin | The philosophy of Fate is said to be originated from ancient Greek and Roman times. | The philosophy of Karma has its roots in the soil of the Indian subcontinent. |
What is Fate?
Fate is the concept that is understood as a pre-determined set of events that are bound to happen in an individual’s life. It is something that is unchangeable and cannot be, under any circumstance, avoided. It is not possible for an individual to alter it using any or every possible means.
It connotes that an individual’s life, beginning from the moment they take their first breath of air up till the moment they release their last breath, has been scripted by the divine forces. Every moment of a person’s life is decided beforehand according to the concept of Fate.
It is widely believed that the philosophy of fate came from Ancient Greeks and Romans. There were Greek and Roman Goddesses known as ‘Fate Spinners’, who weaved the threads of the fate of a person’s life. Fate is understood to be directed upon the Almighty’s wishes.
The concept of Fate has been accepted by multiple religions. The Gods of deities responsible for the creation of one’s fate differ in different religions. For instance, within Christianity, fate is decided by God or Jesus. Within Greek mythology, the Moirai goddesses were the fate spinners, and so on. The people who believe in the philosophy of fate are called Fatalists.
What is Karma?
Karma is a concept that revolves around one’s actions. The basic explanation is that if one does good deeds, they get rewarded for it, and if they do deeds that are insincere in nature, then they repay for it in a similar manner. The proverb, “You reap what you sow,” perfectly explains Karma.
Unlike Fate, Karma gives control to the individual. It is based on the individual’s choices and decisions that Karma is shaped. This is why the basis of Karma is rooted in the cause and effect relationship. Karma is not pre-determined; it can be changed depending on the actions of an individual.
When one does good work or partakes in deeds that are beneficial for mankind, they are rewarded with good karma. This means that the person will lead a nicer life and may have a comfortable next life. Contrarily when one indulges in bad activities, they receive bad karma, which means their future life will be affected negatively.
The philosophy of Karma is known to have evolved from the Indian subcontinent. The concept of Karma was embedded in the notion of rebirths in several sects of India. Today, the idea of Karma has spread far and wide. It has now become a popular belief that one’s future is shaped based on one’s deeds and actions.
Main Differences Between Fate and Karma
- Fate is something that has been ordained by the divine powers, whereas Karma is based on human agency.
- Fate is known to be pre-defined and fixed even before the birth of an individual, but Karma works depending upon the actions that an individual performs.
- Fate is unavoidable and cannot be changed in any manner, but Karma can be altered based on one’s activities.
- A person does not have any authority over his or her fate, but on the other hand, Karma is controlled by the choices a person makes.
- While Fate has its origin embedded in Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, Karma is known to have emerged from ancient Indian beliefs.
Conclusion
Fate and Karma are words that are often confused with one another. But if one researches thoroughly, they would find that the two terms are, in reality, quite different. Fate is a divine will that cannot be amended, avoided, or changed under any circumstance. It does not give the person any sort of choice to pull the fate in their favor.
Karma is completely dependent upon the choices that an individual makes. It gives the entire authority to the individual concerned. It is only the person who can shape or change his or her own Karma. Positive deeds lead to good Karma, whereas negative actions lead to bad Karma.
References
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/25614519
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QSrzLfyHvxYC&oi=fnd&pg=PP13&dq=Fate+and+Karma&ots=BFnYKLQd3v&sig=QWUmI9uw8-YvQmTRP1dcoZw_DOs