Interesting question. In the Maha-bharata, for example, human effort — purusha-kAra — is contrasted with daiva — providence/divine intervention or will. In Bhagavad-gita 9.10, we find the statement that “Prakrti begets…by my supervision/oversight (adhy-aksha)." In the Gita 13.21, and elsewhere, we find a two part concept of causality that matches the twin ontology of body and soul. Not to speak of the philosophical implications of karma.

These are well known approaches to causality.

I am also curious to know to what extent Indian tradition has considered pure chance, sometimes called yadRcchA, or adverbially akasmAt, to be a legitimate cause of events or conditions in this world.

Howard


On May 16, 2016, at 11:32 AM, Artur Karp <karp@uw.edu.pl> wrote:

Dear Colleagues. 

one more question. 

Do you know of something, some event, that happened accidentally, by pure chance - but, finally, had the power to  influence the development of the Indian Civilization (in the spheres of thought, religion, social relations, etc.)?

Status of "(pure, sheer) chance" in Indian thought?

Artur Karp

Poland
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