Karma

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Karma

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The literal meaning of karma is ‘action’ especially ritual action, but in the Upanishads the word eventually comes to refer to a system of rewards and punishments attached to various actions. This system of cause and effect may require several lifetimes to work out. Thus the concept of karma implies a continuing cycle of death and rebirth or reincarnation known as SAMSARA. A system of rewards and punishments depending on actionsThese themes are often found in the epics and other important stories/dramas It is more important to do ones dharma poorly, but do the right dharma than do another dharma well (doing religious duty badly when you are supposed to be fulfilling the duties of a religious person, than being an amazing warrior and knowing you could do it well despite being

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Problems with karma

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Other books of the time pointed out that even the ‘good’ karma acquired by performing good deeds is ultimately bad, because to enjoy the good karma we must be reborn. A 13th century Hindu philosopher, Pillai Lokacharya, described good karma as ‘golden handcuffs.’ Therefore, Krishna urges Arjuna to act without attachment to the consequences. Evil will not touch the person who acts according to his dharma, just as water does not cling to a lotus leaf. All actions are to be offered to Krishna. By discarding the fruits of our action, we attain abiding peace.

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Is mentioned in the

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Gita

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Liberation and innocence

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This liberation is removal of past karma, not the removal of ignorance. Indeed, even once the karma is removed, beings are still individuated by their very natures and not because of extrinsic factors. Some selves are still going through the cycle of reincarnation, some have been liberated, while yet others (at least a few of them…) were never bound. Knowledge is going to get rid of your bad karma , not show you the secrets of the universe