The hardest karma is Prarabdha karma, because it is the portion of past actions that has already begun to bear fruit and must be experienced in the present life — it cannot be changed or avoided.
- Prarabdha karma determines one’s current life circumstances, including birth, relationships, and key life events. Unlike other karmas, it is already in motion and must be lived through until its energy is exhausted.
- Sanchita karma (the stored karma of many past lives) can be reduced through self-awareness and spiritual practice, but Prarabdha remains fixed once it manifests.
- Agami karma, created by present actions, can still be shaped through conscious choices and right conduct, making it less rigid than Prarabdha.
- Ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Vasistha highlight that even enlightened beings experience their Prarabdha karma until liberation is fully realized.
Bonus insight: The key to easing Prarabdha karma lies in cultivating acceptance, detachment, and mindfulness — transforming unavoidable experiences into pathways for growth and liberation.