Another way to look at disasters and accidents is this: These souls may be finishing past karma from another lifetime.

Because of past karma, we find ourselves being reborn into certain family situations with a particular economic and social status that is necessary for our spiritual growth.

Pretas dwell in the waste and desert places of the earth, and vary in situation according to their past karma.

The offerings can represent devotion, aspiration, and seeds of past karma.

Based on the total sum of past karma, some feel close to the Pure Being in this life and others feel separated.

When their past karmas have all had their result, these devas will fall into lower worlds and suffer again.

The life of each individual is determined by their past karmas.

Bṛhaspati also represents the balance of past karma, religion, philosophy, knowledge and issues relating to offspring.

It is the sum of one's past karmas - all actions (good and bad) from one's past life follow through to the next life.

He was convinced that it was due to his Prarabdha and past karma.