38.1 Fate
Question:
What is fate? Is it possible to overcome fate?
Answer:
What is more powerful than fate? Even if one plans to overcome fate,
it will interfere with his plans.
(Couplet – 380)
People who work hard with
ceaseless industry will overcome the obstacles
created by unpredictable
random events.
(Couplet
- 620)
ஊழிற் பெருவலி
யாவுள மற்றொன்று
சூழினுந்
தான்முந் துறும். (குறள் – 380)
ஊழையும்
உப்பக்கம் காண்பர் உலைவின்றித்
தாழாது உஞற்று
பவர். (குறள்
– 620)
Explanation:
The human mind does not want to concede that it is unable to find the reason why certain unforeseen random events occur. So, it has created a fictitious entity called fate. Any event for which we are unable to identify the reason is considered the action of fate. For example, if an apparently healthy man dies unexpectedly, then his death is attributed to fate. Some unknown health conditions might be the reason for his death. An autopsy would probably reveal the cause of his death. So, any event, that people refer to as fate is really unexpected random event for which we do not the cause. But it is a fact that such events do occur.
What Valluvar refers to as
fate can be interpreted as an unexpected random event. Valluvar realizes that
despite careful planning, there may be unforeseen random events that could
interfere with one’s ability to accomplish one’s objectives. He says,
“What is more powerful than unpredictable random events (fate)? Even if one
plans to overcome them, they will interfere with one’s plans.” Although
he realizes the inevitability of unexpected interruptions to one’s plans, he is
confident that people who work hard with ceaseless industry will be able to
overcome the obstacles created by unpredictable random events. So, the unforeseen
random events otherwise known as fate would only interfere, but they are not
insurmountable.
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