Karma- Introduction
Karma literally means action. Karma means “deed or act”.
Karma is the law of action and this law governs man’s consciousness.
Karma is a part of philosophy of the Hindus. The term came into being in Hinduism, based on the Vedas and Upanishads. One of the first and most dramatic illustrations of karma can be found in the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata.
Analysis of Karma, Akarma, Vikarma, Nishkama karma
The Bhagavad-Gita categorizes karma, into four kinds of human actions:
(1) karma: those which elevate. Actions that are performed in terms of one’s prescribed duties, as mentioned in the revealed scriptures, are called karma.
(2) Vikarma: those which degrade. Actions that are performed in contrast to the prescribed duties are called Vikarma.
(3) Akarma: non-doing of any actions or inactions is akarma.
(4) Nishkamakarma: The Bhagavad-Gita has described this way as the method of disinterested action that is action without any desire (NishkamaKarma). To attain moksa, one has to be freed from the bondage to one’s own actions. So the Gita suggests the golden rule that actions should be done with the spirit of non-attachment to their fruits.
Four categories of Karma
Karma is of four categories: Sanchita karma, Prarabdha Karma, Kriyamana Karma, Agami Karma
1) Sanchita Karma– It is the total karma accumulated till date (from your past life).
2) Prarabdha Karma-It means the part of Sanchita Karma, this results in the present birth itself. This is also called predestination. Pararabdha Karma is unavoidable. We will reap the effect of our Past Life Karma in this Present Life.
For example, A has planted a Mango tree and B has planted a Lime tree. After some year, A will get Sweet Mango and B will get Sour Lime. In no way B can change his Lime to a Sweet Mango. This is Prarabdha Karma.
3) Kriyamana Karma-It means present willful actions or free will. The Kriyamana Karma not only change the Present life but also decide what we will get in the next life.
4) Agami Karma-When We plan to do Something but for whatever reason we do not execute it, is known as Agami Karma. It is in our thought or Mind but we are unable to accomplish it. So Agami Karma is basically our unfulfilled desires in Mind without Action.
Categories of Karma
Problem of Freedom
“If I am destined by my karma to be bad or good, to do this or not to do it, it must be so; why then make any effort?”
This is a fallacy and misunderstanding of the nature of Karma. The effort in part of the karma is as much as the goodness or badness. Karma is not a finished thing awaiting us, but a constant becoming, in which the future is not only shaped by the past but is being modified by the present. If a man desires to be good, he is putting forth an energy which presently will make him good, however bad he may be now.
“He is suffering his karma; if I help him I may be interfering with his karma.”
If we are able to help a man, it is the proof that the karma under which he was suffering is exhausted, and that we are the agent of his karma bringing him relief. If we refuse to carry the karmic relief, we make bad karma for ourselves, shutting ourselves out from future help, and someone else will have the good karma of carrying the relief and so ensuring for himself aid in a future difficulty.
For video explanation, click here https://youtu.be/C5tZ1WF6a8Q
PhiloTreat 
Leave a comment