Informative

Decoding the Concept of Karma

Karma spares no one. Karma will eventually get you. What goes around comes around. These phrases are commonly used to interpret the concept of Karma. But the true meaning of Karma isn’t this. Karma is not a system or an entity that watches over us and punishes us for our wrong actions. In this blog, we will take a closer look at what Karma is, the types of Karma, Karma Yoga, Karma Fala, and its close association with spirituality.

Where do we go wrong understanding Karma?

In the mainstream, Karma is often considered as fate. When something negative happens to us or someone else, we say, “it’s Karma.” And by saying it, we are rejecting both the power of control and responsibility.

This happens because we treat the concept of Karma as some slot machine, where we put enough ethical and spiritual coins of good deeds into it, hoping to strike a karmic jackpot. In reality, Karma is unbiased and entirely in our control. Philosophers consider Karma as energy, depending on our intentions behind our actions. The energy we generate now, which will affect us in the near or distant future. 

The true definition of Karma

Karma is a Sanskrit word, roughly translated to –Action. It can be defined as an endless cycle of cause and effect. Lord Krishna says the true meaning of Karma lies in its intentions. Furthermore, in Bhagwat Geeta, he adds, not the action or the results but the intentions of the deeds matters the most.

Many actions that seem good, if backed up with mal intentions, come around to haunt us. Similarly, even though a few actions may seem wrong, which might have a bad outcome, can be good if the intentions behind them are pure.

What are the subtypes of Karma?

Ancient sages have categorized Karma into different types. There are three types of Karma that shape up our life. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

1. Sanchita Karma: Sanchita means accumulation. This type of Karma is an accumulation of past actions, waiting to come fruitful. Sanchita Karma is powerful Karma, which carries forward even to your next life. So, all the actions, good and bad, from your past life, follow you to your next life and show their effects. In Vedic Astrology, house D60, or Sastiamsha is the indicator of our Sanchita Karma.

2. Prarabdha Karma: Prarabhdha means commenced. Prarabdha Karma is Karma we perform under the influence of our past Karma. Prarabdha Karma is exhausted only when its consequences or the fruits have been experienced in this life itself. Prarabdha is impossible to change, because it is created in the time that has already passed. All we can do is to own it, and keep on performing our duties. In Vedic Astrology, the sixth house is the indicator of our Prarabdha Karma.  

 3. Agami Karma: It’s the Karma that you perform in this life, right here, at this moment. This Karma solely depends upon the doer, and so do its results in the near future. The doer has complete control over this type of Karma, and the doer will solely be responsible for the fruit or suffering arising through it in the recent future.

What is Karma Yoga (Duties)? 

Karma Yoga is a path of spiritual liberation through duties. Karma Yoga is a specific set of duties we carry out. Few things we do for ourselves. Few of us do it because of the effects of our past life Karmas. We do very few things just because they need to be done, regardless of the consequences. These duties weigh a significantly lesser percentage in the graph of our karmic life. And those duties come under the umbrella of Karma yoga.

In Hinduism, Karma Yoga is considered the most practical way towards spiritual elevation. One can attain Nirvana by doing their duties, giving 100% of their participation, without worrying about the outcome, says Lord Krishna. Being attached to the outcome is the root cause of suffering, and hence, a devotee should perform his duties to serve others without thinking about the result.

A practitioner of Karma Yoga is called Karmic Yogi, and for him, selfless action will be the best way to reach the Divine. To be a true Karma Yogi, one must understand themselves completely, be free from selfish desires, and be clear on his Dharma (duties).  

What is Karma Phala (fruits of our duties)?

Phala means fruit, reward, or consequences. Karma Phala is the reaction to Karma. Phala is the fuel that powers the continuous wheel of birth, death, and rebirth. However, when it comes to the Karma Phala, our intentions behind our actions play a significant role in this process. Let’s understand this. 

When someone does something while keeping an eye on the results for his selfish motivations, it is bound to have adverse effects no matter how noble the deed is. And hence, Karma Phala should not be mixed with the immediate result or reaction of the work, but its result of the Karma and the intentions behind that deed. 

Laws of Karma

 -Whatever we put out in the universe, it comes back at us in this life or the next. Hence, if you are expecting love, happiness, and bliss, you should be the reason for creating joy, love, and bliss in this world.

-Be the change you want to see in the world because you are connected with the universe. By exploring the connection we have with the universe, one can know about its true nature and can decide on their duties to perform in this world.

-Relationships have a lot to do with our Karma. To receive respect, honesty, and affection from others, firstly, you must put these things in your relationships. When you do not take others for granted, you will always be surrounded by the people who love you.

-Respecting nature is part of the Karmic process. We human beings love to think that we are in total control of nature. And with these assumptions and arrogance, we continue to carry on with the atrocities on mother earth. We forget that one day, things we take for granted will be taken away from us.

-Performing Karma also means accepting the truth of our reality. If one holds on to his past, beliefs, experiences, and feelings, it becomes nearly impossible to be there in the present ultimately. A constant reminder of the importance of being present is the only way to be fully engaged in life and enjoy it blissfully.

Do Karmas from your past life still affect you?

Reincarnation means our consciousness acquires a new body after death. Impressions, experiences, Samskaras (mental conformation and karmic tendency shaping one’s present life), and actions get engraved on our souls, playing a significant role in our next life. When it comes to Karma, one cannot erase its effects, as it bears no expiration date. Karma also means, no one or no incident in your life is a sheer coincidence. If you feel that Karmas from your past lives affect you, you must think about walking the path of Karmic Cleanse. A Karmic Cleanse includes:

 -Appreciate every person and each experience, good or bad.

-No matter what others have done, be compassionate to them. Act with love towards the universe.

-Indulging in negative thoughts can push you towards the mal deeds, which may lead to the angry, negative energy released in your surroundings. This negativity comes back to haunt you in this life or the next. So, make sure to watch your attitude.

-Forgiveness could be the hardest thing to do, but it lays the foundation for good Karma. 

-Selfless acts like charity and helping others will help to get rid of that unfavorable karmic burden off your shoulders.

Mantra For Karmic Cleanse:

One cannot escape from his Karma, however, with the absolute faith in one’s Ishta Devata and Guru, one can ease the sufferings caused by it. So, next time, when you will sit for the meditation, visualize your Ishta Devata in front of your closed eyes. With deep breathing, chant the bellow powerful mantra for 108 times.

“Kleem Kalikaye Namah”

It means, by remembering the Divine Mother Kali, I bow down to her, while she purifies me with the Beej (seed) Mantra ‘Kleem’. Chamunda Swmaiji says that this potent mantra aids in the cleanse of negativity, while clearing our consciousness and consciences. This mantra is known to aid in Karmic cleanse. 

We hope this blog helps you to gain some insight into the concept of Karma.

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