Karma and reincarnation are two major teachings that characterise Hinduism. Sometimes these doctrines are discredited as promoting a cold indifference to the suffering of others, by encouraging the view that people undergoing hardships are being punished for their own misdeeds; therefore do not deserve to be helped.

In actual fact, the majority of Hindus do not subscribe to such a fatalistic view of karma.

When we encounter the suffering of others, how, from a Hindu perspective, should we react? A proper understanding of the doctrine of karma would lead to warm-hearted concern to try and minimize another person's problems, even though caused by his or her own actions in the past. Otherwise, according to that same law of karma, when we find ourselves similarly disadvantaged, we will ourselves be so treated, and will have deserved such treatment by our own callousness.

When confronted by suffering of others, the question we ask is not "Why him or her?" It is, "Given the situation, what is my duty?" It is not for us to say, "It is the result of your karma." It is for us to ask, "Given his or her condition, what is my duty, my dharma?" Otherwise, if you blame the victim, you will be blamed, rather than helped, when you happen to be the victim - which may happen at any time.

The person who is suffering is indeed entitled to ask the perennial question, "Why me?" And, for him or her, karma and reincarnation provides an answer: it is a result of your own past deeds. This serves two ends. First, it keeps us from concluding that we live in a Godless, capricious universe and are victims of a purposeless fate. Second, one can now look to the future, for the doctrine of karma does not end with the proposition that what happens to us is the result of what we have done. It equally advances the proposition that we create our future by how we act now. So, do not wallow in self-pity but strive for a better future, an endeavour in which all others should readily help.