Acharya Prashant addresses the common misconception of attributing current life failures or suffering to past life karma. He explains that people often use the concept of past life karma as a tool for self-deception and to hide their own ignorance or lack of awareness in the present moment. By blaming an unchangeable past, individuals surrender their power to choose and avoid taking responsibility for their current actions. He emphasizes that material phenomena have material causes, such as the inherent randomness and high competition in entrance exams, rather than transcendental or intangible ones. Suffering arises not from the past, but from failing to make the right choices in the present. He further clarifies that karma is simply action and is inseparable from the doer, or 'karta'. The principle of karma suggests that one should focus on the doer rather than the action itself, as the quality of action is a reflection of who the person has become internally. Acharya Prashant encourages a shift from believing in religious stories and myths to seeking the truth found in central scriptures like the Upanishads. He concludes that religion is not fundamentally about stories, which are merely aids for understanding, but about exercising the power to choose and remaining resolute in the present moment.
