Does KARMA Really Work? The Gita Explains Why Some People Seem Untouchable
Nidhi | Mar 10, 2025, 23:26 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Life often seems unfair—wrongdoers thrive while the righteous suffer. If karma is real, why do some people seem to escape consequences? This article explores the Bhagavad Gita’s wisdom on justice, karma’s delayed but inevitable effect, and why divine timing plays a crucial role. Through insightful shlokas and real-life analogies, we uncover why the universe’s balance is beyond human perception and why no one truly gets away with everything.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारणम् फलं कर्म यो हि कर्मण्येव तेन तत्फलम् ॥
"As one acts, so does one reap; no one escapes the fruits of their deeds." (Bhagavad Gita)
Life often feels like an unfair game. We see corrupt leaders amassing wealth, deceitful people thriving, and the kind-hearted struggling. It makes us wonder—if karma truly governs the universe, why do some seem to escape its grasp? Why do wrongdoers enjoy success while the righteous endure suffering?
The Bhagavad Gita provides a profound answer: Justice is never absent; it only unfolds in divine timing. Our human vision is limited—we see only a fraction of the cosmic play. Karma operates beyond what meets the eye, balancing every action, but in ways we may not immediately understand. The key is patience, trust, and the realization that nothing truly goes unnoticed.
यदृच्छालाभसंतुष्टो द्वंद्वातीतो विमत्सरः।
("One who is content with what comes unasked, free from dualities and envy, is steady in wisdom.")
Think of karma like a cosmic bank account. Every action, good or bad, is a transaction recorded in this invisible ledger. Some are cleared immediately, while others accrue interest and return in unexpected ways. Just because someone is enjoying the fruits of bad deeds today doesn’t mean their account is settled. The universe works on its own schedule.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन॥
("You have the right to perform your duty but never to its results.")
Imagine a student cheating on a test and scoring high. At that moment, they seem victorious. But when life presents a real challenge, their lack of knowledge catches up with them. The Gita reminds us that those who engage in unethical actions may temporarily enjoy success, but their ignorance and deceit create burdens they will eventually have to carry.
A farmer sows a mango seed but expects apples—sounds foolish, right? Yet, we often expect good fortune despite engaging in dishonest or harmful actions. The Gita teaches that while we have free will, the fruits of our actions are non-negotiable. Every action—big or small—sends ripples into the universe, eventually returning to us in some form.
सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ।
("Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike.")
Goodness isn’t about immediate reward; it’s about inner strength. Look at history—Mahatma Gandhi, Socrates, and many others suffered for their values. Yet, their legacy is eternal. The Gita assures us that no good deed goes unnoticed. The rewards may not be material or instant, but they are deeply transformative.
Consider the story of Duryodhana in the Mahabharata. He ruled lavishly, deceived the Pandavas, and laughed at righteousness. But when karma arrived, it did so with full force, bringing his downfall in the most poetic way. The lesson? Justice may take time, but it never forgets an address.
We often ask, "Why them? Why me?" But the Gita reminds us that justice isn’t ours to dictate. Instead of obsessing over others' actions, we should focus on walking our own path with integrity. A candle doesn’t worry about the darkness; it simply shines.
The question isn’t whether karma works, but whether we trust divine timing.
The universe is always watching, always balancing. What seems like an escape is merely a delay. The tides will turn, sometimes in this lifetime, sometimes beyond. But no soul walks free from the weight of their deeds.
As Krishna says in the Gita:
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।
("Not even for a moment does anyone remain without action.")
So, the real question isn’t about who gets away—it’s about how we choose to act despite knowing that everything comes full circle. Justice isn’t ours to enforce, but righteousness is ours to uphold. And in the end, it is not wealth, power, or deception that survives—it is truth, dharma, and the unwavering law of karma.
"As one acts, so does one reap; no one escapes the fruits of their deeds." (Bhagavad Gita)
Life often feels like an unfair game. We see corrupt leaders amassing wealth, deceitful people thriving, and the kind-hearted struggling. It makes us wonder—if karma truly governs the universe, why do some seem to escape its grasp? Why do wrongdoers enjoy success while the righteous endure suffering?
The Bhagavad Gita provides a profound answer: Justice is never absent; it only unfolds in divine timing. Our human vision is limited—we see only a fraction of the cosmic play. Karma operates beyond what meets the eye, balancing every action, but in ways we may not immediately understand. The key is patience, trust, and the realization that nothing truly goes unnoticed.
1. Karma is Not a Quick Transaction; It’s a Life Account
("One who is content with what comes unasked, free from dualities and envy, is steady in wisdom.")
Infinite
( Image credit : Pexels )
Think of karma like a cosmic bank account. Every action, good or bad, is a transaction recorded in this invisible ledger. Some are cleared immediately, while others accrue interest and return in unexpected ways. Just because someone is enjoying the fruits of bad deeds today doesn’t mean their account is settled. The universe works on its own schedule.
2. The Illusion of ‘Getting Away’ with Wrongdoing
("You have the right to perform your duty but never to its results.")
Krishna-Arjuna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Imagine a student cheating on a test and scoring high. At that moment, they seem victorious. But when life presents a real challenge, their lack of knowledge catches up with them. The Gita reminds us that those who engage in unethical actions may temporarily enjoy success, but their ignorance and deceit create burdens they will eventually have to carry.
3. Free Will vs. The Unbreakable Law of Cause and Effect
Whatever You Give, Comes to You
( Image credit : Pexels )
4. Why Do Good People Suffer? The Strength of Dharma
("Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike.")
Suffering
( Image credit : Pexels )
Goodness isn’t about immediate reward; it’s about inner strength. Look at history—Mahatma Gandhi, Socrates, and many others suffered for their values. Yet, their legacy is eternal. The Gita assures us that no good deed goes unnoticed. The rewards may not be material or instant, but they are deeply transformative.
5. Delayed But Never Denied: The Universe is Keeping Score
Time
( Image credit : Pexels )
6. Focus on Your Own Path: Justice is Beyond Human Eyes
Path
( Image credit : Pexels )
We often ask, "Why them? Why me?" But the Gita reminds us that justice isn’t ours to dictate. Instead of obsessing over others' actions, we should focus on walking our own path with integrity. A candle doesn’t worry about the darkness; it simply shines.
Final Thought:
The universe is always watching, always balancing. What seems like an escape is merely a delay. The tides will turn, sometimes in this lifetime, sometimes beyond. But no soul walks free from the weight of their deeds.
As Krishna says in the Gita:
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।
("Not even for a moment does anyone remain without action.")
So, the real question isn’t about who gets away—it’s about how we choose to act despite knowing that everything comes full circle. Justice isn’t ours to enforce, but righteousness is ours to uphold. And in the end, it is not wealth, power, or deception that survives—it is truth, dharma, and the unwavering law of karma.