Fate and Fortune in the Indian Scriptures
- 1st ed.
- New Delhi Foundation Books 2014
- 321
Fatalism is a philosophical doctrine which states that an individual does not have full control over the events that happen in his life. There is no trace of fatalism in the early Indian literature—Samhitas, Brahmanas and Upanisads; it surged in the succeeding period. This book argues that the predominance of the priestly class after the revival of Brahminism, as an aftermath of the decline of Buddhism, ushered in conspicuous changes in people’s attitude to life. The new modifications helped to entrench fate as a formidable force. It explains that the natural factors which led to the rise of fatalism were observation of the inexorability of death. The author has referred to a splendid array of scriptures ranging from the early and late Vedic literature, Ramayana, Mahabharata to Buddhist and Jain texts, Bible and other old western texts to establish her erudite findings.
Introduction
Chapter 1. Inception
Chapter 2. Rebirth and transmigration
Chapter 3. Karman and its consequences
Chapter 4. Karman, fate and free will
Chapter 5. Fate, eschatology and liberation
Chapter 6. Premonitions and presages
Chapter 7. Deflection: Remedial measures
Chapter 8. Vicarious deflection
Chapter 9. Fate and human endeavour
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Fate and fatalism--Religious aspects Religion India