Gita Saar | What is karma? | Geeta Saar

What is Karma?

What is karma?

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मण: |

अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गति: || ४.१७ ||

karmano hyapi boddhavyan boddhavyan ch vikarmanh |

akarmanashch boddhavyan gahana karmano gatih || 4.17 ||

The mystery of karma is very difficult to understand. Therefore, a person should know exactly what karma is, what is Akarma and what is Vikarma (sin). [4.11 Gita]

Any action performed consciously or unconsciously is called karma. That is, any creature in the world, whatever it does unannounced is Karma only.

For example reading, writing, running, thinking, breathing, sleeping, freezing and everything we can think of.

Karma - This has a good effect on society.

Karma is a verb inspired by the three qualities of nature from within the human work field. Karma is the auspicious action scripted by the scriptures to control the senses and purify the mind. Kriya (activity), which is performed according to one's prescribed Slavs, is called karma. All these actions originate from its Dharma (righteousness).

Mainly, karma can be divided into two categories.

1. Sakam Karma (Bound Deed) (Action done by wishing for some result/ outcome)

For example: Donation. Donating has a good influence on society. But the desire of appreciation for the donation is a donation influenced by Kama (desire). This donation is called Sakam-Karma. Doer here wishes for appreciation.

2. Nishkam Karma (Free-Deed) (Action done without wishing for any result/ outcome)

On the same, donations made without any desire and by understanding its Dharma (righteousness) are neutral and called Nishkam karma.

Here we can see that both actions are good for the society but the difference is about the upliftment of self. And Sakam karma creates bondage. Because here you are bound by the result of karma and it will hinder you from doing karma. On the other hand, Nishkam Karma sets you to be free from the result. 

Similarly, Nishkam(neutral) karma is said to be the best.

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि || २.४७  ||

Karmaṇyēvādhikārastē mā phalēṣu kṣaṇika |

mā karmaphalahēturbhūrmaṁ tē saphalagō̕stvatmani

|| 25.47 ||

You are entitled to do karma and not for the result. Therefore, it is the right of man to do deeds without wishing for any fruit as it hinders one to perform its duty. [2.7 Gita]

This is the only difference between Sakam Karma (Bound deed) and Nishkam Karma (Free deed). Both are the same type of karma but the difference is only the desire for fruit, result & outcome.

Akram (Ignorance) - This has no effect on society.

Akarm (inaction) is an action that is done only for the pleasure of God, to be free from the cycle of birth and death, to separate from the effects of good and evil. They neither have any karma disability nor do they entangle the soul. It is naturally universal.

There is a selfless performance of a natural action for the welfare of all beings. One attains liberation.

The act of mixing oneself with the supreme God, who separates himself from the world, ignorance is called Akarm (inaction). For example: renunciation from all physicality of world, expressions and deeds and devotion to God alone.

Vikarm (Forbidden action) - This has a bad effect on society.

Abandoning karma is the inauspicious karma forbidden by the sinful scriptures as they are harmful and result in the degradation of society and one's own soul. The actions that are done through the misuse of one's freedom and which directly harm the lower life forms, they go wrong. For example: theft etc.

Therefore, from the above, I hope, now you will understand. What is the action and what is the action you are doing?

हिन्दी में पढ़ने के लिए, यहाँ क्लिक करें।

Written By: Vineet Kumar Saraswat