The Inescapable Fruits of Karma

The Inescapable Fruits of Karma: Teachings of Brihaspati and Shukracharya in Shrimad Devi Bhagwat Purana

Introduction

The Shrimad Devi Bhagwat Purana offers profound insights into the workings of karma and destiny. Among its many teachings are the instructions given by two major spiritual guides of ancient times—Guru Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods (devas), and Guru Shukracharya, the guide of the demons (asuras). Surprisingly, both give similar advice: the fruits of karma—whether good or bad—must be borne and cannot be removed.

This article examines these teachings and presents the deeper conclusion: while traditional gurus claim karma cannot be destroyed, the Supreme God alone has the power to erase sins and change destiny.

Guru Brihaspati’s Teaching: “The Fruits of Actions Cannot Be Eliminated”

In the Shrimad Devi Bhagwat Purana, a significant dialogue takes place when King of Gods, Indra, approaches his guru—Rishi Brihaspati—seeking guidance.

Brihaspati advises:

• The events written in destiny cannot be altered.
• Whatever fate has decided will certainly take place.
• One should neither worry about happiness nor sorrow.

• Pleasure and pain indicate the exhaustion of the consequences of past deeds.

  • Misfortunes reveal that bad karma is getting destroyed.
  • Periods of comfort signify the consumption of good karma.

According to Brihaspati, destiny is inflexible. A person must patiently endure their karmic fruits—no mantra, worship, or divine intervention can stop the consequences already destined to manifest.

He goes as far as to say:

A noble soul should remain blissful even in times of suffering.

However, this advice borders on impracticality—almost childish—as expecting someone to feel bliss while undergoing intense pain (such as severe stomach ache) is unrealistic.

Shukracharya’s Advice: “Bad Karma Must Be Suffered in This Life”

On the opposite side of the cosmic spectrum stands Shukracharya, the guru of demons (asuras). Yet, despite belonging to rival camps, his teachings mirror those of Brihaspati.

Shukracharya tells the demons:

• The ill effects of bad deeds must be endured in the present life for them to be exhausted.
• No one—not even a guru—can prevent the consequences of karma from manifesting.

At one point, Shukracharya claims:

“I will protect you with my mantras.”

But just moments later, he contradicts himself, admitting:

“You will have to go to Pataal Lok (the nether world) after being defeated by the gods because the consequences of deeds cannot be avoided.”

Thus, even the guru who is famed for his knowledge of powerful mantras accepts that karma is inescapable.

Common Teaching of Both Gurus: Karma Must Be Borne

Whether guiding gods or demons, Brihaspati and Shukracharya both say:

• Karma is unavoidable.
• The results of actions cannot be erased.
• Destiny cannot be changed.
• Suffering or joy must be endured until karmic accounts settle.

In their view:

Destiny is fixed, and no power can overwrite it.

But here lies a major flaw.

Both gurus—respected though they are—fail to acknowledge a fundamental spiritual truth.

What They Missed: The Supreme God Can Destroy Sins and Change Destiny

The limitation in the teachings of Brihaspati and Shukracharya is clear:

• They speak of destiny as unchangeable.
• They believe no one can erase karmic debts.
• They remain unaware of the Supreme God’s rule.

However, scriptures repeatedly declare:

The Supreme God alone has the authority to erase sins and rewrite destiny.

Whether it is:

• the Vedas describing the Supreme Purush who releases souls from karma,
• the Gita where the Supreme Being (not Kaal) grants absolute liberation,
• or Puranic accounts of God granting complete pardon to devoted souls—

the truth is consistent:

⭐ Karma is not supreme. The Supreme God is.

⭐ He alone can cut the bondage of past deeds.

This profound truth is absent in the teachings of Brihaspati and Shukracharya, making their advice incomplete.

The Real Path: Find a Tatvadarshi Saint Who Teaches Worship of the Supreme God

The Puranas emphasize that to break free from karmic entanglement:

• One must receive true spiritual knowledge.
• One must worship the Supreme God, not lesser deities.
• One must find a Tatvadarshi Saint—a realized teacher described in the Bhagavad Gita—who reveals the correct mantra and method of worship capable of eliminating past sins.

Only such devotion can:

• destroy accumulated karmas,
• change destiny,
• free the soul from suffering,
• and take one toward Salvation (moksha).

Conclusion

The Shrimad Devi Bhagwat Purana records the teachings of two respected gurus—Brihaspati and Shukracharya—who insist that:

✔ Karma must be borne.

✔ Destiny cannot be changed.

✔ Good and bad deeds must naturally exhaust themselves.

But this is only half the truth.

The Supreme God has the power to destroy sins and rewrite destiny.

To access this divine grace, one must approach a true saint who imparts the worship of the Supreme God.

Karma may bind every being—but the Supreme God can break every bond.