Could it be karma?

The tsunami disaster in Asia has the world's relief organizations scrambling to help. The scope of the calamity - untold thousands dead, many of them children - also has the majority of Hindus and Muslims from the affected countries turning to their faith for insights and solace.

A Hindu understanding of the events hinges on karma, the complex moral law of cause and effect that governs the universe, said Kana Mitra of Chestnut Hill, Pa., a Calcutta native and retired Hindu scholar.

"Karma in this case is not to be understood as reward or punishment for the actions of (the individual victims)," Mitra said in a phone interview. "A group disaster like this is to be understood as group karma, meaning people overall, universally, have done things that have consequences" - not collectively sinned in the Judeo-Christian sense, she said, but acted irresponsibly by not, perhaps, having disaster-warning systems in place. "Our faith is that somehow these disasters will eventually lead to some sort of wisdom for humanity in general."

Prayers are offered "not that illness or hardship will go away but that wisdom will dawn on people. That wisdom allows people to see things as they really are and live life in a way that is compassionate toward everything and everyone."

The death of innocents is eased by belief in rebirth, Mitra said: "In their next birth they may be in a better position, in the sense they would have more opportunities for wisdom because one looks at things in a different way when one has suffered."

Their families still feel the pain of their loss, she said, "and you're supposed to feel it. When you're indifferent to pain and suffering, you're not acting in a normal way."

Nand Todi, president of Bharatiya Temple in Montgomeryville, Pa., said the Hindu temple was offering prayers for the victims, particularly the Vedic mantras called shanti panchakam.

"They are for the peace of the souls who died and for people injured or hurt," Todi said. "We pray for God to give them strength to fight this natural disaster."

Muslims, meanwhile, are raised to place unwavering trust that Allah is in control, said Bangladeshi native Abu Rahman, president of Masjid al-Madinah mosque in Upper Darby, Pa.

Tragedies are "like a test to see how strong your faith is," the Newtown Square, Pa., chemist said. "A loved one dies and you don't know why, but as a believer we feel there is a purpose you do not know of. You are expected to show controlled emotion and get on with life. All of us die, some young, some old."

The response to a tragedy is twofold, Rahman said: "We believe we have a spiritual obligation, that we don't question your (Allah's) ways but ask your mercy on those who died so they be placed in a better life, and have mercy on those who are living and affected by disaster."

In addition comes a moral obligation to assist the needy, which will prompt a special fund drive at the mosque for the Red Cross relief effort, Rahman said.