Karma — The Law of Action

2.1 Etymology and Meaning

Karma comes from Sanskrit root kri = "to do/act." It means:

• In its simplest sense: action or deed.
• In philosophical sense: the law of moral causation — intentional actions produce consequences that affect future experience.
• In colloquial English usage (incorrect): "fate" or "destiny" — but karma is not fatalistic; it emphasises free will and the power of present action.

2.2 Types of Karma

Type	Description
Sanchita Karma	Accumulated store of karma from all past lives — the sum total
Prarabdha Karma	Portion of Sanchita Karma that has "ripened" — determines current life circumstances
Agami/Kriyamana	Karma being created right now — by present actions and intentions

Karma and rebirth: Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions link karma to samsara (cycle of death and rebirth). Good karma → higher rebirth; bad karma → lower rebirth or suffering; elimination of karma → moksha/nirvana/liberation.

2.3 Karma Yoga (Bhagavad Gita)

The Bhagavad Gita (composed ~200 BCE – 200 CE; part of Mahabharata) presents three paths to God/liberation:

1. Jnana Yoga — path of knowledge (for intellectuals).
2. Bhakti Yoga — path of devotion (for the heart).
3. Karma Yoga — path of selfless action (for the active).

Karma Yoga key teaching:

• Karmanyevadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana (Gita 2.47) — "You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits thereof."
• Nishkama Karma — act without desire for personal gain; dedicate action to God/humanity.
• This principle formed the basis of Gandhi's political philosophy: work for independence without attachment to personal power; serve without expectation.

2.4 Buddhist Karma (Karma-phala)

In Buddhism, karma is specifically cetana — intentional mental action (thought, word, deed). Key distinctions:

• No permanent self (anatman) — karma flows through a stream of consciousness, not a soul.
• The Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga) is the practical guide to generating good karma.
• Bodhisattva karma: Taking a vow to postpone personal nirvana to help all sentient beings attain liberation.

2.5 Jain Karma (Karma-vada)

Jainism has the most elaborate theory of karma in Indian philosophy:

• Karma is literally physical — tiny subtle matter particles (pudgala) that stick to the soul (jiva) through activity motivated by passions.
• Karma can be prevented (samvara — stopping new karma) and shed (nirjara — eliminating old karma).
• Ahimsa (non-violence) is the supreme ethical principle for preventing bad karma.
• Mahavira (599–527 BCE) — 24th Tirthankara — attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and moksha through extreme tapas.

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