The following insightful story appeared in the Akhand Jyoti Magazine, published by the Gayatri Pariwar in November-December 2003.
In a small town of India before the advent of the British rule, there lived an eminent astrologer who used to forecast the fate of people. One day, two friends decided to visit him to know their future. The astrologer prophesized that as per the destiny captured by their astrological charts, the first friend shall receive a punishment of hanging until death, while the second shall become a king within a month.
The fellow who had been foretold the fortune of becoming a king got entrapped in the snares of the ego and became arrogant. Intoxicated by dreams of power and wealth his mind turned to sinful activities. He developed evil addictions, and began spending time in the debauchery of wine and sensual indulgences. At the end of the month, he did not become a king, but found a bag full of silver coins on the road.
The first man on receiving the news that he was doomed to death, began to introspect. He detached himself from materialistic pursuits; and spent all his time in the selfless service of others. His whole nature uplifted and the man became pious and kind. On the last day of the month instead of getting hanged, he suffered a road injury. He was admitted to the hospital, treated and discharged.
At the end of the month, both friends went back to see the astrologer. They complained that he had misled them. Both his forecasts tuned out wrong. The experienced astrologer explained that the destiny made by our past actions, can be changed and transformed by our present actions.
In the case of the first man, his pious actions diminished the original destiny of hanging. His actions reduced the original destiny so much that ultimately it weakened to being a treatable injury. On the other hand, the sinful actions of the second friend diminished his destined good fortune of becoming a king, and reduced it to receiving only a bag of money.
So, nothing had gone wrong with their predicted fortunes. What each friend received at the end of the month was exactly what was left in their account of destiny at that time.
