The Law of Karma

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In Sanskrit language, the word Karma literally means Any Thought, Word or Action.

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And The Law of Karma states:

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“All of our Thoughts, Words, Actions lead to an Effect. There is no escape from the Effect."

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in layman terms, it means:

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“You reap what you sow”

or

“You get what you deserve”

 

In our lives, we experience the results or reactions of our own decisions, our own thoughts, words, actions..the sumtotal of which is called  ‘Karma’. 

The Law of Karma is a True Law of Nature.

It is True because it is infallible and Tested with Experience. 

Then also its not just a statement; rather it is a Law because it is the Pattern, Arrangement and Order of Nature.

Anyone is Free to test it with their own Experience objectively.

And those who have experienced it, testify it and agree to the same conclusion.

 

The Law of Karma applies to anyone and everyone -- Individuals, Groups, Communities, Societies, Countries, Everyone.

Meaning, if an individual engages in some Action (Karma), that individual will inevitably face a Reaction (Result).

Similarly, if a group of individuals collectively engage in some Karma, they must also face the Result collectively.

Whether they like it or not. Whether they want it or not. This is because it is The Law of Karma in Nature.

And Laws are meant to be observed. As such nature observes it diligently.

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One cannot escape the Results of their Thoughts, Words, Actions. They cannot Guarantee any specific Results either.

Some Reaction or Result will definitely follow, automatically from their Thoughts, Words and Actions.

Generally the result will be commensurate and proportionate to the Action.

But exceptions exist and they follow the relationship expressed below.

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Infact, Results are not a direct output of Karma. Rather Results are a function of Karma+Time+Divine Grace as summarized in this simple relationship:

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Karma + Time + Divine Grace = Results 

 

What this means is our Karma is not the direct cause of Results.

Results will happen. Results are bound to happen. But the desired Results will Only happen when:

• we do the our part our Karma (which is under our control)

  • to 'deserve' the result we desire, just dreaming will not do; eg: if one wants to be rich, he has to work for it

• The Time is Right (output or Results of our Past Karma), we will get the dues of what we did - good or bad.

  • eg: we can't commit a crime today and then go and pray hoping praying will wash off the crime (past karma)

• God's blessings are with us (Divine Grace)

  • God is the ultimate judge. If God sees our sincerity and hardwork, God blesses; not otherwise.​

 

This explains why often our Karma and their results are not really directly related. Often in our lives we come to situations where we do good karma but inexplicably get an un-expected undesired or bad result. While it seems someone else does the same karma yet they seem to get a relatively good result. It just doesn't seem fair nor make sense. Isnt it?

On the outset, if you consider the direct relation of just the karma and the reaction, it doesnt make sense but it does make sense if you factor in the other two parts of the equation -- Time and Divine Grace.

Apply this to anything and everything in experience. Analyze deeply and completely.

You will find it works.

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Now then come some important questions to consider:

• What is your choice in the matter of karma and results?

• If a 'specific' and 'desired' Result cannot be guaranteed by You, but only its probability determined by your Karma, then what can you do? What is your Freedom? Why should you even take the pains to Act?

• Should you stop dreaming and desiring?

• Should you stop working all together?

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Answer is a simple 'No'.

You must NOT stop dreaming and desiring nor (above all) performing your Karma.

Just Dreaming and Desiring a specific result will not do. You must Deserve the result you desire by your Karma.

True you cannot guarantee a specific desired result but You can surely determine your Karma and its Quality. Can you not?

And thats your answer. You do your part -- your Karma -- in a Detached and yet Inspired manner and forget the rest.

In doing so, you automatically increase the probability and likelihood of the specific result you desire.

As a matter of fact,

If you DO your Karma, there is NO guarantee of success (desired results), only a probability of success

rather

If you do NOT DO your Karma, there a guarantee of Failure (zero probability of success)

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Of course the other two factors Time and Divine Grace that are beyond your control have their influence in the matter but by simply performing your karma to the best of your ability YOU influence the bigger part of the Karma - Result equation above.

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And this fact is beautifully summarized by Lord Sri Krishna in The Bhagavad Gita: (chapter 2 verse 47)

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कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥

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karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana

mā karma-phala-hetur bhūrmā te saṅgo ’stv akarmaṇi

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"You have the Right only to perform your Action, You dont have the Freedom to choose the Results.

Thus Act, Do not be Inactive. Nor consider yourself to be the cause of results of your actions"

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Thus, whenever faced with ANY decision to make prior to performing your Karma, take a moment to  Realize and Remember the Law:

• Your Karma will have a definite Effect.

• You will reap what you sow.

• You will get what you deserve.

 

So decide wisely what you think, say or do BEFORE you think, say or do something.

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To help decide the 'Right' Karma -- the 'Right' thing to do -- consider these questions:

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• Are you about to do something you like? or avoid something that you dislike? 

• Is what you are about to think, say or do the Right thing to do?

• What is the 'Right' thing to do?

  • well depends on whether the considered Karma is Selfish or is it Selfless?

• What is Selfish or Selfless Karma?

  • answer lies in whether the Result of the considered Karma will benefit just you or others too?

• Does it align with Truth or does it satisfy some ego, pride, greed, lust or selfish motive?

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In other words, if you want to get Good, then Do Good.

Because, If you do Bad, you will get Bad.

 

In the End, All goes to God. Good or Bad. And Everything in between.

It is God's Universe. It is Gods creation.

Its Gods Doing. It is Gods undoing.

God does not interfere with the Law of Karma. Though God 'can'. 

Afterall God is the Supreme Authority in the Universe. All Laws exist at the will and pleasure of God.

Exceptions exist but Exceptions dont prove anything nor do they disprove anything.

 

So what must be our attitude about Karma and ourselves in the bigger picture of Life?

Well, given the Law of Karma, the wise amongst us will say "We are merely God's instrument of Action, in this Divine play of God".

If we dont do it, God will find someone else who will.

And then when done with 'doing' our Karma, Give it to God, Leave the burden of Results to God.

First  Be Inspired and Act.

Then  Be Detached  from the results or expectations of a certain desired result from your Karma...

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Hare Krishna!

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