KARMA---NO ESCAPE

KARMA--NO ESCAPE

Every action has an equivalent and opposite reaction said Newton! This statement is  perfectly true in religion as it is in science. For every cause there must be an effect. In religious parlance we call action as karma. It is impossible for man to exist without action or karma. Physically or mentally he is ever active. He is involved in some physical work or mentally worried about some problem or other entangled in the cycle of birth and death. Usually we do some work expecting a result. The result may be either good or bad. But the result has to be there. Now the question is whether you can perform a work but prevent the result yourself. Whether you like it or not there is bound to be the result for any action done by the individual. There cannot be two opinions on this point. Whether we take a laxative or some pill knowingly or unknowingly the effect is surely to be felt. In other words, there is no escape from the result of our actions or karma.

“ avsya manubhoktavyam krutham karma subhaa subham-- The effects of action, good or bad, have to be experienced  definitely say our Sastras.The distinctive features of Hinduism are the belief in rebirth and the theory of karma! Unlike Islam and Christianity that accept unmerited suffering as the will of God, Hinduism explains it as the result of one’s actions in his previous birth.The reason why people are born dumb, deaf, blind, lame and other disabilities is to be found in their actions in their previous birth! God can never be partial to a few and impartial to others. All are his children and his Grace is showered on all like the light of the Sun. He allows the human beings to suffer or enjoy according to their bad and good deeds respectively. Lord Krishna explains the invincibility of karma to Arjuna in His discourse on Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad-Gita.

Even as the child is born, karma is in action! Birth In a rich, middle class or poor family and various other factors depend on this factor. This is called PRARABDHA KARMA---karma already yielding results.During his lifetime,man accumulates karma by his actions good or bad. This is similar to a fixed deposit from which you can draw whenever you require. This type is called SANCHITA KARMA-- cumulative deposit.This karma is the basis for man’s future course of life and what happens to him at every stage of life. This is called AGAMI KARMA--that which is to come. Thus man’s existence is inextricably interfused  with his actions in this and his previous births! The accumulated karma is so huge and colossal that it can not be exhausted and experienced in a single birth. Hence man has to take countless births to experience the effects of his actions. After he suffers and enjoys and comes to the end of his experiences, after innumerable births and deaths, he can expect salvation or mukti. Papa and punya--- sinful and good deeds have to be suffered and enjoyed respectively and separately. They can not  be exchanged. After suffering in hell and enjoying in heaven,on account of papa and punya, the jeeva has to descend to earth again! “ kshine punye martya loke visanthi” On no account can one’s sinful deeds be cancelled by his good deeds or punya! One should not be under the delusion that by charitable acts and other good deeds his sins will be cancelled!

“ The consequence of karma can be wiped out only through karma, as a thorn can be removed only by means of another”. Says Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba.Jaya and Vijaya, the guards at the threshold of Vakunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu prevented the great sages Sanaka, Sanandana and others from entering. Angered at this, the sages cursed them to be born as mortals on earth.Taking pity on them, the Lord gave them a choice,either to have seven births as friends of the Lord or three births as inveterate enemies of the Lord. Jaya And Vijaya chose to be the enemies and desired to return to Vakunta as early as possible. Thus their action resulted in their birth as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu in the krutha yuga, Ravana and Kumbhakarna in Treta yuga and Sisupala and Dantavaktra in DwaparaYuga! They tormented the world and even the  heavens. Devas had to rush to Lord Vishnu for relief. Lord Vishnu himself had to take avatar to kill these demons. Hiranyaksha was killed during the Varahavatar,(wild boar) and Hiranyakasipu was killed during that Narasimhavatar (man lion).

To kill Ravana, the Lord came down as Sri Rama in Treta yuga, and was the embodiment of Dharma or righteousness! He established Ramarajya and became the role model for humanity! Again in Dwapara yuga the Lord took avatar as Krishna the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. He killed many demons in his childhood including his maternal uncle Kamsa. He killed Sisupala and others and was responsible for the annihilation of the Kauravas who were personification of evil, greediness and arrogance. Thus killed in their three births as enemies of the Lord, Jaya and Vijaya returned to their abode and duty at Vakunta! For a small indiscreet act in stopping the sages they were cursed and had to suffer untold miseries on earth! None can escape the effect of karma.Is it possible to overcome the effects of karma? Yes. It is possible under extraordinary circumstances! One should be a passionate and ardent devotee of God totally surrendering himself to God’s will. Only great bhaktas like the child devotees Dhruva, Prahlada and Markandeya had that Divine Grace that totally destroyed their karma and gave them emancipation!