What is prarabdha karma?

Prarabdha karma refers to the actions from our past that are currently manifesting and yielding results in our lives. According to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, prarabdha karma is like a journey we have already begun; it is the karma that is actively playing out and cannot be avoided or changed. Just as when you are driving on a freeway, you have to continue until you reach the next exit, prarabdha karma must be experienced as it unfolds.

While prarabdha karma must be lived through, there is still some degree of freedom within it. You can choose how you respond to the situations it brings, similar to changing lanes on a highway. However, the core experiences tied to prarabdha karma are set in motion and must be faced.

In contrast, sanchita karma, which is the accumulated karma from the past that has not yet manifested, can be altered or reduced through spiritual practices like meditation, prayer, and service. Agami karma, which refers to future actions and their potential results, can also be influenced by our current actions and choices. Thus, while prarabdha karma requires acceptance and experience, other forms of karma offer opportunities for transformation and change.