Hi Visitor,
Welcome to my blog on how Karma operates.
"ஒருவருக்கு நல்லதும் கெட்டதும் பிறர் தருவதில்லை. நமக்கு நாமே உண்டாக்கிக் கொள்கிறோம். தினை விதைத்தவன் தினை அறுப்பான், வினை விதைத்தவன் வினை அறுப்பான். மற்றவர்கள் நமக்குக் கெடுதி செய்துவிட்டனர் என்பது தவறு. நாம் என்ன விதைத்தோமோ அதுதான் பழம் ஆகி பலன் தருகிறது".
Theology of Karma:
The meaning of the word Karma in Sanskrit language is 'action'. However, in Vedic parlance it is understood as the 'effect of our actions" as far as Karmic doctrine is concerned. Karma is a religeous belief in Hinduism, which is also followed in few other Eastern religions, like Buddism, Jainism. This was propounded by our ancestors after much contemplations and deliberations on the question: "Why does good people suffer, while bad people enjoy?". The Rishis and other wisemen concluded with reasonable belief that the root of all our miseries and happiness lies within each one of us, in the form of Samsaras (Memories) and Vasanas (Skills), which are acquired memories of our past actions.
Basic beliefs on Karma:
"ஒருவருக்கு நல்லதும் கெட்டதும் பிறர் தருவதில்லை. நமக்கு நாமே உண்டாக்கிக் கொள்கிறோம். தினை விதைத்தவன் தினை அறுப்பான், வினை விதைத்தவன் வினை அறுப்பான். மற்றவர்கள் நமக்குக் கெடுதி செய்துவிட்டனர் என்பது தவறு. நாம் என்ன விதைத்தோமோ அதுதான் பழம் ஆகி பலன் தருகிறது".
Theology of Karma:
The meaning of the word Karma in Sanskrit language is 'action'. However, in Vedic parlance it is understood as the 'effect of our actions" as far as Karmic doctrine is concerned. Karma is a religeous belief in Hinduism, which is also followed in few other Eastern religions, like Buddism, Jainism. This was propounded by our ancestors after much contemplations and deliberations on the question: "Why does good people suffer, while bad people enjoy?". The Rishis and other wisemen concluded with reasonable belief that the root of all our miseries and happiness lies within each one of us, in the form of Samsaras (Memories) and Vasanas (Skills), which are acquired memories of our past actions.
Basic beliefs on Karma:
Karmic concept is woven over the fabric of certain fundamental beliefs, which are unique to Hinduism such as:
- I am not my body but its Atman or its Soul. Atman always tends to unite with the Brahman and finds ways and means to do it.
- Our Souls transform into new bodies infinite number of times, through births, deaths and rebirths, till it merges with Brahman in the end.
- Every time we are reborn, our souls are loaded with memories of our previous births.
- These past memories or Samsaras determine the circumstances or environment in which we are born, fixing us appropriately as we may deserve.
- The Vasanas or the skills that we carry from our previous births gives shape to our tendencies in our current life. This is why someone becomes a child prodigy.
- No one can escape from the grip of Karma but one can lessen the effect by controlling their response to such pressures.
- The past karma gets depleted as we undergo the karmic effects in this life.
- Karma never repeats itself unless you ask for it through your present actions.
- As long as karma is carried forward, whether good karma or bad, you will be born again on earth to enjoy its fruits, sweet or sour.
- If a soul accumulates "only" good karma, which is very rare, then they spend their entire time only in heaven; If a soul accumulates only bad karma, it experiences hell. In this process their good or bad Karma gets depleted over time. When this good or bad karma gets depleted fully, they are again born on earth. Thus there is no permanent Hell or Heaven assured in Hinduism.
- Only through Gnana Marg one can burn their Karmic stocks completely and become one with Brahman, breaking the chain.
Cause and Effect
The concept of Karma cannot be proved, but it is a faith that gives you the strength of mind to endure. One can think of karma as the spiritual equivalent of Newton’s Law of Motion. For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. When we exhibit a negative force in thought, word, or deed, that negative energy will come back to us like throwing a rubber ball on the wall.
Karma is not a punishment given for bad deeds nor it is a gift awarded for a good deed. It is just a dharmic way of understanding that our present life is our own making. It is rather a graceful way of accepting the facts, thus leading to a more peaceful living and a solace to ourselves. It helps one to settle down to perform good deeds in this life, giving a hope of a better tomorrow. When we become calm and composed, we are able to act wisely, and not impulsively, which will lead us to more resilience in overcoming our troubles.
Many other faiths, such as Christianity, do not believe in rebirth and when the person commits a sin he is eternally punished in hell. However, there are reasons to believe they also accept Karma, when they say: What goes around, comes around; as you sow, so you reap; violence begets violence etc.
Hinduism, as a way of life, rather than a religion, is woven with this concept of Karma, giving the person more chances to reform in his future births.
Types of Karma:
Each one of us accumulate Karmic stocks during our life time and then carry them forward to our next lives. These are called Sanchita Karma. Out of this whole stock of Karma, only a portion is earmarked for this present life, balance being reserved to fructify anytime in future lives.
This portion of karma, apportioned to be enjoyed by us in one whole lifetime, is called Prarabtha Karma. This Prarabtha Karma decides one's life span and at the end of this enjoyment, the soul seeks another body in the next life for enjoying a new batch of Prarabtha Karma. The soul takes innumerable births this way, to get rid of the accumulated Karma in previous lives.
The karma that one adds during this life is also defined clearly. There is Kriyamana Karma, otherwise known as "instant karma", that fructifies in this lifetime itself, instead of carry forward to next life. That which gets carried forward from newly added karma is called Agami Karma and this becomes added to the Sanchitha Karma to be enjoyed anytime in future lives.
When will a Karma Fructify ?:
Karmic effects take their own time to fructify in future. It is like planting different seeds in the soil. One may be a mango seed and other one could be a vegetable seed. Though the ground is same and same amount of water is poured daily, Mango takes years to yield its fruits while vegetable yields quickly. But it will fructify one day for sure. Likewise, Karmic effects fructify at their own will.
Karma does not wait for anyone nor does it require God's permission to take effect. Karma functions autonomously and according to a cosmic ritual law. Human beings, according to laws of nature, must repay for all their actions. Human suffering is not a sign of God’s anger with mankind. It is a sign, rather, of man’s ignorance of the divine law.
See the link below for some lessons on Karma:
How should we face our Karma ?:
phalaṃ tyaktvā karma karaṇam - Parasurama Suktam 1.22.
Whatever actions you are called upon to do, do it as an offering to the Divine, as an instrument of the Divine without the sense of the doer. Do not seek any particular fruit in doing the action and leave it to the Divine Will. You have no choice of your own in work, nor any desire to the fruit of work.
Whatever actions you are called upon to do, do it as an offering to the Divine, as an instrument of the Divine without the sense of the doer. Do not seek any particular fruit in doing the action and leave it to the Divine Will. You have no choice of your own in work, nor any desire to the fruit of work.
nirbhayatā sarvatra || Parasurama Suktam_1.25.
The seeker of the Divine has no fear from whatever quarter. He has the protection of the very Divine and through his practice of meditation, adoration and worship, he is in constant communion with the Power that guards and saves.
There is no respite from the effects of Karma, as it is not partial to anyone. But when we tune ourselves to God through meditation and remain close to God always, then, we will not feel the sufferings. We should become human by forgiving others and realise that our sufferings are our own make. We should not point our fingers at others for our sufferings. This realisation is called "Gnana". This way we can avoid subjecting ourselves to be governed by the exacting law of karma. Karma can also be minimised by the intervention of a Self-realized master who is free from karma. As long as one is acting on divine guidance rather than one's ego, one accrues no more karma, and it eventually gets dissipated.
To sum up, listen to the following video discourse by Sringeri Pontiff:
You are responsible for what you do. No external forces control your karma. No external forces redeem you. No external force is absolutely necessary for your salvation. All is your personal work and effort. This is the law of natural justice.
If anyone harms you through their actions, be it harsh words, bad thoughts or bad deeds, your response should be to accept it as your own karmic force, avoid thoughts of a revenge and just relax. Let Karma take control on the other person. If you are lucky, you will live to see the effect of karma on the other person.
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