History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c95.274

v7.c95.274

Though the general drift of the Gītā is in favour of Free Will, there are a few passages that seem to savour of determinism, e g 'everyone is made to do acts helplessly by the *guṇas* born of Prakṛti (III. 5); 'all beings follow prakṛti (Nature), what can control (or repression) do? (III 33), "due to your conceit you think 'I shall not fight,' this thy resolve is vain; (your) Nature will compel you to do it; you being constrained by your own acts born of your nature will helplessly do that which you do not wish to do" (XVIII. 59-60). It may have to be conceded that there is no freedom of will in the matter of environment during childhood.