HSS: The Law of Karma [and] What is Karma Yoga?

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Dear Jagbir,

 

Here are two articles for Upload to HSS's Editor's Choice.

 

thanks,

 

violet

 

 

 

Article I:

 

THE LAW OF KARMA

 

The Doctrine of Karma forms an integral part of Vedanta. The Law of Karma is one

of the fundamental doctrines not only in Hinduism, but also in Buddhism and in

Jainism.

 

As a man sows, so he shall reap. This is the Law of Karma. It expounds the

riddle of life and the riddle of the universe. It brings solace, satisfaction

and comfort to one and all. It is a self-evident truth. Fortunately, the

Westerners have also begun now to acknowledge its importance and veracity. The

Americans have now full belief in this doctrine. Every sensible man will have to

accept it. There is no other go.

 

A close study of this law gives encouragement to the hopeless man, to the

desperate and ailing. Destiny is created by man's thoughts, habits and

character. There is every chance for his correction and improvement by changing

his thoughts and habits. The scoundrel can become a saint; the prostitute can

become a chaste lady; a beggar can become a king. This mighty law provides for

all this.

 

The Doctrine of Karma only, can explain the mysterious problem of good and evil

in this world. The Doctrine of Karma only, can bring solace, contentment, peace

and strength to the afflicted and the desperate. It solves our difficulties and

problems of life. It gives encouragement to the hopeless and the forlorn. It

pushes a man to right thinking, right speech and right action. It brings a

brilliant future for that man who lives according to this universal law. If all

people understand this law correctly and discharge their daily duties carefully,

they would rise to sublime heights in the ladder of spirituality. They will be

moral and virtuous and have a happy, peaceful, contented life. They can bear the

burden of Samsara with patience, endurance and strength of mind. There will not

be any room for complaint when they see the inequalities in birth, fortune,

intelligence, capacities, etc. There will be heaven on earth. All will rejoice

even in suffering. Greed, jealousy, hatred, anger, passion will vanish. Virtue

will reign everywhere. We will have a glorious Satya Yuga now with peace and

plenty everywhere. Blessed is the man who understands and lives in the Law, for

he will soon attain God-consciousness and become one with the Law-giver! Then

the Law will no longer operate on him.

 

http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/karmayoga.htm#law

 

 

 

Article 2:

 

WHAT IS KARMA YOGA?

 

Karma Yoga is consecration of all actions and their fruits unto the Lord. Karma

Yoga is performance of actions dwelling in union with the Divine, removing

attachment and remaining balanced ever in success and failure.

 

Karma Yoga is selfless service unto humanity. Karma Yoga is the Yoga of action

which purifies the heart and prepares the Antahkarana (the heart and the mind)

for the reception of Divine Light or attainment of Knowledge of the Self. The

important point is that you will have to serve humanity without any attachment

or egoism.

 

Action of some kind or the other is unavoidable. You cannot keep quiet without

doing anything. What binds you to phenomenal existence or Samsara is not the

action but the idea of doership and enjoyership. Karma binds when it is done

with a selfish motive, with the expectation of fruits. But when action is done

without the expectation of fruits, it is liberating. If you act as an instrument

in the hands of the Lord, as a participant in the cosmic activity of Nature,

without expectation of fruits, that Karma will not bind you. Karma, then becomes

Karma Yoga. Work unselfishly. Feel that you are only an instrument and that the

Lord is working through you. Surrender the actions and their fruits to the Lord.

You will be freed from the bonds of Karma and enjoy peace.

 

The practice of Karma Yoga prepares the aspirant for the reception of knowledge

of the Self. It makes him a proper Adhikari (aspirant) for the study of Vedanta.

Ignorant people jump at once to Jnana Yoga, without first having a preliminary

training in Karma Yoga. That is the reason why they fail miserably to realize

the Truth. Various impurities lurk in the fourfold mind (Antahkarana). The mind

is filled with likes and dislikes, jealousy, etc. They only talk of Brahman.

They indulge in all sorts of useless controversies, vain debates and dry,

endless discussions. Their philosophy is only on their lips. In other words,

they are lip-Vedantins. What is really wanted is practical Vedanta through

ceaseless, selfless service. Selfless service is the only way to remove the

impurities lurking in the mind.

 

Two things are indispensably requisite in the practice of Karma Yoga. The Karma

Yogi should have non-attachment to the fruits of actions. He will have to

dedicate his actions at the altar of God with the feeling of Ishvararpana.

Non-attachment brings freedom from sorrow and fear. Non-attachment makes a man

absolutely bold and fearless. When he dedicates his actions at the Lotus Feet of

the Lord, he develops devotion to God and approaches Him nearer and nearer. He

gradually feels that God works directly through his Indriyas or instruments. He

feels no strain or burden in the discharge of his works now. He is quite at

ease. The heavy load which he felt previously on account of false notion has

vanished out of sight now.

 

http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/karmayoga.htm#what