According to certain interpretations, Krishna both enforces the law of karma (reward/punishment) and grants grace to devotees who surrender.
How can humans be fully responsible for their actions (karma) if Krishna can “override” or “deliver” them from the cycle of birth and death?
Is there a logical or theological tension in saying “surrender to Krishna” but also “you will reap what you sow”?
Replies
Hare Krishna,
let me give you one example in regular day to day life ..hmm
When you are driving on the road you follow the rules set ( traffic rules) isn't it?
If you break any rule you get a ticket. Whether you accidentally broken the rule or you did on purpose ( because you know you have free will ) you got the ticket.
But you know you tell the cop that this is my first time .. I am very sorry I wont do this next time. I didn't do this on purpose. But it accidentally happen.. seek forgiveness and ask for mercy. The court and the cops might reduce the charges also. This is out of Grace.
Krishna is merciful- if you surrender even after doing crimes and abominable sins and cry with repentance and seek sincere forgiveness He can show mercy as per 18.66 sloka of BG. But how many are doing surrender with seeking mercy from Lord?
Most of the time the break the rules set by Lord and we don't even care for asking forgiveness.
Krishna gave you free will to chose what is right thing what is wrong thing.
He wont interfere in your choice.
If you do right you beget right results.
If you do bad you beget bad results.
But if you did bad and yet felt real repentence and surrender Krishna can help save you.
Hare Krishna
Hare Krsna
How can humans be fully responsible for their actions (karma) if Krishna can “override” or “deliver” them from the cycle of birth and death?
Humans are fully responsible for their actions and consequences because without their free will those actions would not have occurred.
Sri Krsna can override but Sri Krsna does not interfere in human's free will to override their free will.
Sri Krsna can deliver anyone from cycle of birth and death but Sri Krsna only does this only for those few great souls who truly and fully want to be freed from material world.
Is there a logical or theological tension in saying “surrender to Krishna” but also “you will reap what you sow”?
There is no contradiction. Because saying surrender to Sri Krsna is indicating what is the best thing to sow and reap.
We all have free will. Engaging in Krsna consciousness is the best way to utilize that free will.
According to certain interpretations..
There is no scope of interpretation whatsoever.
Hare Krsna