[Advaita-l] Confusion about free will.

[Vishesh Bhat]

Thank you Sri Kaushikji and Anandji for your answers. The insights of the
Swami are quite lucid and clear.

But one question still remains, why then do we pray to the Almighty for
deliverance from pain and misery? Is such an act merely for mental strength
and our own superficial comfort? There also seem to be quite a few
instances of great devotees overcoming bad fates. If God is merely the
dispenser of fruits, then what is the truth value of these stories of
Bhakti?

I can sort of see the value in rituals as being means to eradicate our
'rina or debt' to nature which we incur on a daily basis. But what about
Bhakti? I apologise if this seems to be an illposed question.

Regards,
Vishesh

On Thu, 19 May 2022, 09:28 Anand N via Advaita-l, <
advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:

> Namaste ,
>
> There is a great article on the website which hosts this forum, which deals
> with this conundrum:
>
> https://www.advaita-vedanta.org/articles/The_Riddle_of_Fate_and_Free.htm
>
> Om Namo Narayanaya
> Anand
>
>
> On Wed 18. May 2022 at 17:32, Kaushik Chevendra via Advaita-l <
> advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
>
> > Namaste.
> > There is no world from the paramarthika state. Where can action and free
> > will come from?
> > Regarding free will, shri abhinava vidyatirtha swamin has said that
> indeed
> > free will is present for the jiva. But at the same time it's not
> absolute.
> > Because there are many external factors that impede one's will. So even
> > though it's not absolute it does still exist. Acharya cites markandeyas
> > story in this regard. He was destined to die at 16 but due to his bakthi,
> > his life span increases. In this same way we try our best to lead a life
> of
> > Dharma and attain mukthi based on our adhikara.
> > Hope this answers your questions.
> >
> > On Wed, 18 May, 2022, 1:37 pm Vishesh Bhat via Advaita-l, <
> > advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
> >
> > > Pranaam,
> > >
> > > I have listened to a few talks on free will by Swami Sarvapriyananda
> and
> > > others. However I am still confused regarding its nature. Is free will
> an
> > > illusion at the vyavaharika level or is at the paramarthika level? Is
> > even
> > > my attainment of moksha predestined? If so, what is the truth value of
> > > purusha prayatna.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Vishesh.
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