One meaning of Karma which is mostly accepted is that it is one's destiny of fate, the inescapable writing on the brow, which has to work itself out and there is no escaping it. But people forget that it is written by one's own hand and not by someone else, and hence the hand which wrote it can also wipe if off. The husk with which paddy (rice) is born can be removed with effort; similarly, the maya which persuaded you to write that destiny can also be conquered by doing good deeds.
(Gems of Wisdom, Law of Karma, pg 107)
