Miscellaneous - Religion   

Web of Karma

CHENNAI: The Vedas speak with authority and in great detail on the core values pertaining to dharma or righteous living. Scriptural injunctions are for every individual, and when adherence to them is mandatory, failure to do so attracts a penalty.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reiterates that while every individual has to perform the ordained duties, the spirit behind every action — with no attachment to results — is important as this leads to the ultimate truth. Moreover, it is not possible to refrain from action, and all are helplessly driven to action because of the three Gunas.

It is only when one gets involved in action for material gains that desires abound leading to anger. Anger leads to delusion resulting in the loss of balance and destruction of one's intellect. The result is entanglement in the web of Karma of good and bad deeds that continues as an endless cycle.

Liberation is possible only with the knowledge that the immortal soul within the embodied form has to seek its union with the Lord ultimately, said Sri N. Vaidhyanatha Dikshitar in a lecture. All actions, good or bad, bind an individual, and as long as one is involved in action, these are bound to fetter man's spiritual progress in every birth.

The story of king Bharata, who was also a great devotee, related in the Bhagavata Purana proves the strength of Vasanas (tendencies) that one inherits from the actions of the past. The king had attained a state of total renunciation, yet got trapped in the cycle of births when he developed attachment to an infant deer and was born as a deer in his next birth. What began as compassion (a noble trait) turned into an attachment and caused his spiritual fall. Later he was born as Jadabharata and possessed virtuous qualities like contentment, forgiveness, humility and compassion.

The episode of the elephant king Gajendran and Ajamilan also signify the gripping effects of one's deeds, be they good or bad. The good deeds of the past births can cause enlightenment and evil deeds, if left unheeded, can grow into a big tree and consequently more difficult to be cut.

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