Hinduism believes in the concept of reincarnation. What determines the state of an individual in the next existence is karma which refers to the actions undertaken by the body and the mind.
In order to achieve good karma it is important to live life according to dharma. This involves doing what is right for the individual, the family, the community and also for the universe itself.
Dharma is like a cosmic norm and if one goes against the norm it can result in bad karma. So, dharma affects the future according to the karma accumulated. Therefore, one's dharmic path in the next life is determined by their past karma.
Although this is correct, I have a daunting question all the time. If karma decides the state of an individual, what is the role of God? Do prayers have an effect at all?
Yes, God does consider prayers. The role of God is (1) to oversee creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe, (2) to oversee our actions, with possible intervention if necessary, (3) to ensure justice through the laws of karma, and (4) to consider our prayers.
Prayer to God for forgiveness from sin will also be answered without violation of the law of karma. If true remorse is felt for the error committed, and one makes an effort not to commit the mistake again, the prayer for forgiveness will be answered in the form of mitigation of suffering and a more proper state of mind, taking into account that the remorse felt by the sinner is part of the suffering.
If the prayer is for a desired future result, the prayer will still be answered without a violation of the law of karma. Of course, one should not expect the desired result will magically happen without action. The purpose of prayer is to focus our attention towards God, who will help steer us in the right direction for our prayers to be answered with assistance, possibly in the form of more favorable circumstances or improved abilities or a better state of mind for the tasks at hand. If done with true faith and intensity and for the right reasons, the prayers will be answered.
Of course, as with all religious ideas, this has been debated, but this is a commonly accepted view of God and prayer among Hindus.
And of course the Bhakti schools all state that prayer has the additional positive side effect of bringing oneself closer to God and to moksha, as stated in the Gita.
Hundreds of millions of Indians lead such desperate lives. Is it due to bad karma?
Quite possibly. It isn’t just Indians – hundreds of millions of people worldwide are suffering. But don’t forget that there are also many, Indians and others, who are living well.
your suggestions pl.
pl. comment
anything i do easy works or any easy process for anything became difficult and late.is it due to my karma?
Ideology of Karma is a belief thing of Hindus. Scientifically they are correct about cause and effect.
But if one factors God / Love we cannot have that clear concept. BG 2 47 says, no matter what we do the result is not guaranteed, a given action not necessarily gives the exact reaction.