The Lord infuses His Light (soul) into the shell, we call body.
ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਗੁਫਾ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਰਖਿ ਕੈ ਵਾਜਾ ਪਵਣੁ ਵਜਾਇਆ ॥ (ਪੰਨਾ 922)
Only after the Lord infused His consciousness in the human body, circulated the life-sustaining air, did the human instrument come into play. (922)
When we shed the mortal form, the shell remains behind, while the soul departs to another destination. Only the Lord knows and decides the next destination. A precious few may merge into the Universal Light, the Ocean of Eternity (ie attain salvation), whilst the vast majority stay trapped in the cycle of life & death …… so the theory of Karma goes.
However Guru Ji avers:
ਰਾਜੁ ਨ ਚਾਹਉ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਚਾਹਉ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲਾਰੇ ॥ (ਪੰਨਾ 534)
I seek not power, nor do I desire salvation, all I ask for is to stay focused on the Lotus Feet of my Satguru. (SGGS 534)
Human relationships are transitory, we meet and separate and perhaps meet again, just like the streams, rivulets, brooks do, and, perhaps, one day return Home into the fathomless Ocean of Eternity…. that is, merge into the Source, the Origin, the Universal Light.
While we are here, all we can do is to focus on our karma, do the best we can and not worry about the reward …. focus on Truthful Living, doing good, but leave the reward to the Supreme Being who sent us here.
Rein in your worldly desires of wealth & power, worry not about liberation, just focus on the Teachings of Satguru and leave the rest to the Supreme Master.