In this thought-provoking dialogue, Sai Baba Answers on Destiny, guiding seekers into one of life’s most profound mysteries: are our lives already written, or do we carve our own path through free will? Sitting by the ever-burning dhuni in Dwarkamai, Baba’s presence becomes a living metaphor for the balance of destiny and effort—the steady flame that represents both the weight of karma and the light of conscious choice.
Through gentle parables drawn from seeds, rivers, and waves, Baba lifts the question beyond philosophy into practical wisdom. His words dissolve the rigid divide between fate and randomness, showing that both flow together like two currents in the same river. He reminds seekers that destiny may carry us forward, but awareness and effort allow us to steer wisely.
This timeless teaching urges readers not to passively surrender to fate, nor to dismiss life as chance, but to recognize the harmony between the unseen hand of karma and the freedom of one’s own will. It is here, in this sacred balance, that life’s deeper meaning unfolds
Is There Destiny, or Is Life Random?
The sun had set over Shirdi, casting golden hues over the dusty paths leading to the Dwarkamai masjid. Our traveller, weary from his long journey, approached Sai Baba, Who sat by the sacred Dhuni, the eternal fire crackling softly beside Him. The traveller had spent years struggling with the uncertainties of life, trying to understand whether everything was preordained or simply a play of random events.
“Baba,” he asked, kneeling before Baba, “is our life already written, bound by destiny? Or is everything just happening randomly, without meaning or purpose?”
Baba gazed at the fire, His eyes reflecting both stillness and depth. He picked up a small twig and placed it into the flames. As the wood turned to embers, He spoke.
“Child, if a seed is sown in the soil, will it not sprout into a plant? But what kind of plant? That depends on the seed itself, the soil, the water, and the care it receives. Some seeds grow into towering trees, while others remain small shrubs. The destiny of the seed is not a rigid script, it is a result of the conditions surrounding it and the choices made in its nurturing.
Your life is like that seed. You are born with certain tendencies, this is your prarabdha karma, the effects of past actions. But how you respond, how you nurture yourself, that is your free will. The fruit is not entirely predetermined, nor is it completely random.
Imagine a boat on a river. The current of the river is strong, that is like destiny, flowing with the force of past actions. But the boat has oars. If the one rowing is wise, he can navigate, slow down, or even change direction. If he surrenders completely to the current, he will be taken wherever it flows. But if he learns how to row, he can influence his path.
So, tell Me, child, is life bound by destiny, or does your effort matter?”
The traveller thought deeply. “Then, Baba, is it my effort that shapes my life, or is it still within the will of something greater?”
Baba smiled. “Both. The ocean is vast, but the wave still has its journey. The wave does not control the ocean, but it is also not without movement. The wise one learns to move with the ocean’s flow while shaping his own course. When you awaken to true wisdom, you see that what you call ‘destiny’ and ‘free will’ are not separate. They are like two sides of the same coin. But until then, row wisely.”
The Answer
Life is neither fully predetermined nor completely random. The past creates conditions, but the present choices shape the future. Just like a river’s current carries a boat, but the boatman can still steer, destiny and free will coexist. The wise do not remain passive, blaming fate, nor do they believe everything is accidental. Instead, they row with awareness, shaping their path while flowing with life’s greater currents.
A Final Thought
“If destiny controls everything, why do you strive? And if life is random, why do patterns emerge? Perhaps the answer is not in choosing one over the other, but in seeing how they dance together. Will you fight the current, or will you learn how to row? “
Contributed by: Murali P K – Author of Shirdi Sai Baba – The Guiding Light for the New Age (Volume 1)
Recently, we conducted a poll on the Sai Yug Network’s WhatsApp Channel asking which day you’d love to read Divine Talk articles and the response was overwhelming! Thursday emerged as the clear favorite.
So, dear reader, every Thursday, make sure to visit https://shirdisaibabastories.org/ for your weekly spiritual dose.
We would also love to hear your reviews, share your thoughts with us, so we may continue this beautiful exchange of wisdom and devotion.
Posts in this Series
1️⃣ Sai Baba Answers About Human Suffering
2️⃣ Why Is God Worshipped in Different Forms?
3️⃣ Existence and Reality – Sai Baba Answers
4️⃣ Why Does the Universe Seem Fine-Tuned for Life?
5️⃣ Is There Life Beyond Earth? Sai Baba Answers
6️⃣ Sai Baba on The Unseen Laws of the Universe
7️⃣ Sai Baba on Consciousness Beyond Science
8️⃣ Sai Baba Answers – Consciousness Beyond Death
9️⃣ Sai Baba Answers on Near Death Experiences
🔟 Sai Baba Answers on Spiritual Experiences and Parallel Worlds
1️⃣1️⃣ Sai Baba Answers – Can We Talk To The Dead
1️⃣2️⃣ Sai Baba Answers On Recurring Dreams
