What is Karma?

Fri, 10/11/2017 Bangalore, India

What is Karma?

There are billions and billions of living creatures and so many kinds of feelings arise within each of them. All of these feelings propel or cause some action. That feeling is called Karma, and the (resultant) action is also called Karma.

Click To Tweet This Article

Sukshma Karma and Sthula Karma

When a desire to create arises from within you, then that desire or feeling is Karma. It is Sukshma Karma (action at the subtle level). The moment a desire arises in your mind, let us say to build a new building, then that’s it – the work or the action has already happened. For example, when the architect has made the blueprint of the house, then the construction of the house has already happened.
Then there is Sthula Karma (action at the material level), such as bringing the bricks, stones, mortar, and constructing the house with them.

So, the subtle desires or feelings that arise beyond the realm of the five elements is also called Karma, and the action that takes place in the realm of the five principle elements is also called Karma. Further to this, whatever impressions (as a result of the action) get imprinted upon the mind also becomes Karma that one must go through.

Karma That Is Created Through Impressions

Certain activities and actions imprint certain impressions on the mind, creating Karma. And certain activities do not imprint any impression on the mind; in this case, there is no Karma.
You must have heard people say that one must remain detached and dispassionate while performing any action. Have you all heard this? What does it mean? It means that you must act, but do not attach yourself to it and harbour it in your mind. Do not get stuck to it.
See, you cannot exist without doing something or the other. Everyone has to do something. But if you take an action too much to heart and drag it as a burden on the mind, then it becomes a different kind of Karma altogether (that creates bondage).

So, there are two categories of Karma:

  • Karma due to the impressions embedded in the mind
  • Karma that takes place through the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether

Karma That Does Not Carry Any Impressions

There is another type of action that just happens out of one's nature, where you don't even call it an action. It happens spontaneously, like an involuntary action. A child suddenly falls down and you spontaneously go and pick up the child because it is in your nature – it is built in you to help somebody when they are in trouble. Don't you do that? You don't have to learn in school that whenever someone trips from the steps, you have to go and help them. It is but natural. In that state, your action is akin to God's action – there is spontaneity there. An action done spontaneously does not form any Karma because it is coming out of your own nature. That's why when a tiger or a lion preys, it doesn't get any Karma. If a cat kills a rat, it doesn't get Karma because it is in its nature.

Everything is Karma, and everyone has to do some or the other Karma.

Read earlier posts

  • How to Handle Office Politics

    May 21, 2020
    • Wherever there are people politics is bound to be there. Don’t shy away from it and don’t worry about it – be rock solid. Here are some insights from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on how to handle politics.

    Management Mantras for Success

    May 21, 2020
    • It is easy to create a company but the real challenge lies in sustaining a company. Here are four management mantras or pointers by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to help you move towards the effective management of your business.
  • How To Develop Virtues

    May 21, 2020
    • Some where deep inside we all wish to experience better versions of ourselves. In this article Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar talks about virtues and how to develop them.

    The Best Form of Donation

    May 21, 2020
    • It is important to donate at least 3 percent of what we earn - says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. In this article he further talks about the best form of donation
  • Why Be Generous

    May 21, 2020
    • We have 2 tendencies:
      to give and to take.
      Are we teaching our children to give more and take less? In this article Gurudev speaks on the importance of generosity.

    Get Past the Blame Game

    May 21, 2020
    • When you blame somebody you feel uncomfortable and you spread unpleasant feelings all around you too. Blaming does not give you anything positive in return. Here are 5 tips to walk yourself out of the tendency to blame.
  • Guide to Parenting

    May 21, 2020
    • When it comes to children parenting is a sacred responsibility. Here are 10 parenting tips by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to help you raise children with well-grounded personalities.

    Stronger Relationships

    May 21, 2020
    • Relationships cause you so many problems and you get so heartbroken.When a relationship breaks down you get so devastated as though you cannot exist anymore. At that time it is wisdom that can give you the strength to move on.
  • How To Attract Grace Into My Life?

    May 21, 2020
    • What is Grace? What is the cause of Grace? How to attract more Grace into our lives? In this article Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar talks about Grace and Gratitude.

    5 Ways to Overcome Problems

    May 21, 2020
    • If you are going through a problem in your life - here are 5 perspectives by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar that can help you keep a victorious attitude through the storm.
  • What Does It Mean to be Truly Free?

    May 21, 2020
    • What is Freedom? What Does It Mean to be Truly Free? In this article Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar touches on the topic of FREEDOM

    5 Ways to Experience Meditation

    May 21, 2020
    • Getting back to that serenity which is our original nature is meditation. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar outlines five ways through which one can experience meditation.

CONNECT WITH SRI SRI

THE SRI SRI APP

Read wisdom from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Blog, Facebook, Twitter and Live Talks.

IPHONE | ANDROID

Subscribe to wisdom updates