Fate (Destiny), Sikhism

Synonyms

Creation; Creator; Dharam ; Karam ; Karma; Moksha; Nadar

Definition

Fate can be understood as the workings of a mysterious cosmic order which affects things in the world. In South Asia, this notion may include an idea of an immutable deity who asserts this mysterious order but it is made more complex by the inclusion of notions like karma, dharma, samsara, and moksha.

Early Notions of Fate as the Mysterious Cosmic Order

Fate refers to the idea that events occur according to a predetermined but unpredictable or mysterious pattern. The immutability of such a fixed pattern may be determined by independent deities (like Moirai in Greek mythology), or an Agent, like Allah, who decrees one’s fate (qadar); however, it is disputable whether the pattern is truly immutable or not. [2] Fate can also be understood as simply the workings of a mysterious Cosmic Order, hence the growth of astrology, which in theory makes this invisible ordering of life visible (in the manner of traditional...