THREE ASPECTS OF KARMA:

[Guest guest]

prof laxmi narain (prof_narain)

 

Source and courtesy: Sri Ramana Kendram, Hyderabad

This article was published in Sri Ramana Jyothi,

monthly magazine of the Kendram.

 

THREE ASPECTS OF KARMA: The process of karma starts as soon as a

thought to perform an action enters one's mind. It then translates

into action in the form of speech or physical activity or both.Karma

is thus performed by the mind in thought, by tongue in speech or by

the body in action…The Gita classifies karma under three categories –

karma, vi-karma, and a-karma. Karma is right action. It contributes

to happiness here and hereafter. Vi-karma or wrong action is

performed with the intention of doing harm to others and results in

suffering in this life or in future lives. A-karma is non-action,

action that does not produce any reaction and, therefore, ceases to

bind one to samsara and leads to moksha. [sri Ramana is the example

of a person performing a-karma.] Karma, vi-karma and a-karma are not

to be distinguished by the action itself, but by the intention or

motive behind that action. For example,if one may give in charity,

perform austerities and yaganas with the motive of acquiring fame or

favours, then these seemingly right actions would be categorized as

vi-karma. On the other hand, one may even kill, but with good

intentions, then the karma would be considered right action; and if

it is done in support of dharma it could even fall into the category

of a-karma…To achieve the highest perfection of human life – total

freedom – moksha from misery – we must perform only a-karma. A-karma

can be achieved in two ways: First, by performing action without

desire for the fruits of that action, the fruits being dedicated to

the Lord, and second, by total renunciation of all action as in the

state of samadhi.However, one must be careful and not confuse non-

action with laziness or escapism, as that would amount to being in

tamas (mode of ignorance.) – Parmarthi Raina