On Hinduism

Good or bad things we experience now are the accumulation of our past actions from not only this lifetime but many lifetimes. This is karma.

Humans are bound to reap the results of their past actions, either in this lifetime, or the next. We cannot attribute good or bad things happening to people based on just this lifetime’s actions. 

A person’s actions can be of 3 types, good actions (Satvik Karma), bad actions (Tamasik Karma) and mixed good and bad actions (Rajasik Karma).

For example, a person does lots of good karma and gets fruits for it and then utilizes those fruits for bad work. Before experiencing the results of his bad karma, he leaves his body. Another person does lots of bad karma and gets fruits for it and then utilizes those fruits for good work. Before experiencing the fruits of his good work, he too leaves his body. Now, these pending results of past actions that are to be experienced are extended to their next birth. Whether they become good or bad natured in their next life, they are bound to reap the results of their past actions. So bottom line, we cannot judge good things happening to bad people based on this lifetime’s actions. The bad person might have accumulated many good karmas in the past and might be experiencing their good prarabdha (a collection of past karmas) in this lifetime whereas a good person might be going through his bad prarabdha in this lifetime.

.Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhilanand Hinduism Q & A: Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributor: Geetha Ravula

Location of this post (10f): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people/