Astrology and Pending Karmas

The 6th chapter of the Anushasana Parva (the Teaching Book), the 13th book of the Mahabharata, opens with Yudhishthira asking Bhishma: "Is the course of a person's life already destined, or can human effort shape one's life?"

D-60 C The future, replies Bhishma, is both a function of current human effort derived from free will and past human actions that set the circumstances.

Over and over again, the chapters of Mahabharata recite the key postulates of karma theory. That is: intent and action (karma) has consequences; karma lingers and doesn't disappear; and, all positive or negative experiences in life require effort and intent.

**Contents and Sample Pages**