Miscellaneous - Religion   

Law of karma

CHENNAI : Scriptures proclaim that the ultimate aim of human existence is to gain liberation and not only show the path to gain such liberation but also explain the result of liberation. While the liberated state enjoyed by the soul is the focus of Kaivalyopanishad, it also details the struggle of the soul to extricate itself from the innumerable knots of worldly existence, said Swamini Satyavratananda in a lecture.

Rebirth is the lot of the Jivatma until true knowledge is attained. Its each birth is dependent on the karma it carries. The working of karma is wholly dispassionate and just and God the dispenser allots rightfully the kind of body, tendencies, etc., that the soul being bound by its past karma deserves.

Scriptures speak of three kinds of karma that bind the Jivatma through countless births by which it has to exhaust the effects of past deeds, both good and bad — Sanchita (accumulated over the years), Prarabda (that which is experienced in the present birth) and Agamika (that which is yet to be experienced). The Jivatma's birth is decided by its Sanchita karma. It is important that every Jivatma becomes aware of the effects of karma. The truth that karma is bound to take its course and there is no way by which it can be circumvented or altered should be understood.

Each one's lifetime is a precious chance to strive for liberation. This can happen only if the ego is negated and the soul is directed towards the ultimate goal. Until then it will experience the cycle of Samsara with all this diversity and variety of activities that bring along with them successes and failures.

The Jivatma remains confused when caught in the web of ignorance and identifies itself with the body, mind and intellect. He who realises the self as part of infinity and understands this as the sole truth is a realised soul. The Jivatma has the option to consider itself as a separate entity residing within a body; or to identify itself with the infinite and the absolute, disregarding or ignoring the body. It is the latter option by which the Jivatma sees itself as part of the absolute that is true Jnana.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword No. 8881
Solution to Puzzle 8880
Law of karma
dated April 7, 1957: Need to learn languages
dated April 7, 1957: New Ministry for Orissa
Weather

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu