HARMONY BY ACTION - SWAMI TATWANANDA

[Guest guest]

Karma - Action and it's Nuances - 2 (contd.)

 

Vedic Karma - Actions ordained by Scriptures.

 

The Karma-kanda (work-section) of the Vedas mainly deals with the "potency of

action." Its immediate purpose is the attainment of desire and security

(kaama and artha) here and hereafter. It also instructs that one should lead

a life of virtue and duty (dharma), which is indispensable for man's

progress, as dharma itself is productive of a result, called merit (punya).

To guide the common man these mandates and dictates are codified within

certain categories:

 

1. Nitya Karma - Obligatory Duties: Actions that you are expected to perform

without negligence, as one who has already benefited by the active forces in

the creation for which one is not the author. It is more of an expression of

appreciation and gratitude due from the enjoyer (jiva) to the Creator - God.

 

In the first conceptual moment of acceptance of the Creator, the act of

worship was not defined. The details of elaborate rituals are later

developments. The formulated worship called the rituals came into practice

later and varies from religion to religion and from group to group. Customs

are not mandates from scriptures. They are historical and situational

necessities. The manner of fulfilling the act of worship can vary according

to the individual's understanding. It is the awareness of His Presence in the

mind that counts in worship. Apart from the act of worship, consideration for

fellow creatures, alleviating the sufferings of others, appreciating Nature's

marvels - all these come under this definition called "Nitya karma."

 

2. Naimittika Karma - Optional Actions. You have freedom over the preference

of action in events such as marriage, parenthood, etc. Although an option it

is not obligatory. When an option is chosen, however, then it becomes

obligatory.

 

3. Praayaschitta Karma. These are actions performed to neutralize the results

of an undesirable act already performed but whose potency to produce adverse

results is understood only later. If you accept that actions can bring in

good or bad results, then actions can also neutralize the ill effects. The

karma done to nullify the ill effects - such as the observance of fasts,

chanting of certain mantras etc., - as suggested in the Vedas and Puranas, -

are called praayaschitta karma (to be contd.).

 

(Excerpted from Swamiji's talks on Karma Yoga-published as Harmony by Action

1989)