What is KARMA?

Last Thursday a student asked "What is Karma"?  It sparked a lively discussion with the students, some of whom had great answers, some were not understanding as well.  I am going to make a humble attempt to explain what karma is.  This is a very profound question not many students even ask.  (Kudos to Jake!)  The explanation I give here may not be perfect, but I'll hopefully shed some light on the question.

First let's start with what does the word "karma" mean?  Karma is "action".  Karmas are the actions an individual does.  Simply put, it means whatever we do (action, karma or cause) produces an effect (fruit). The Golden Rule illustrates this "as ye sow, so shall ye reap".  The individual is therefore the sole doer and enjoyer of his actions (karmas) and their results (effects, fruits, or samsaras).  Formula:  Cause = Effect or Action = Result

The best foundational reference text to explore on the subject is the Bhagavad Gita.  This is a short jewel of a text which is excerpted from the great epic Indian classic The Mahabharata.  This story is the definitive yoga teaching on the fundamental concept of karma. 

In the story, the Crown Prince Arjuna is ordered to lead his father's armies into battle. The problem is, the opposing army Arjuna has to face in battle includes many dear friends, relatives, and even a former teacher.  Arjuna is a practicing yogi, and a very pure and spiritually inclined Prince.  He does not want to be responsible for harming or killing his relatives, friends, or teacher.  As he suits up for battle and climbs into his chariot, his Charioteer (and Guru) is none-other than Krishna, the God-man and great Avatar. 

Krishna instructing Arjuna

After revealing his anguish to Krishna about going into a battle where his army is sure to kill people he loves, Krishna explains to Arjuna that he must do his duty. He explains that his duty is to do the correct, proper, and decent action. This is the highest calling of a true yogi. 

Therefore, going into battle and doing the best he can as General to defeat the opposing army is the correct and proper thing to do.  He further explains that the law of cause and effect is all God anyway, so there is no reason for him to suffer anguish. (I.E.: the Guru shows us the correct actions to attain yoga).

The story of the battle of Kurukshetra (Place of God) is the allegorical struggle of the war within ourselves.  It is "the struggle for self-mastery that every human being must wage if he or she is to emerge from life victorious" (commentary by E. Easwaran).  It is the war constantly going on within us between the tendencies of good and evil.  Human beings that live in harmony with dharma (the Natural Law of Causation), proceed more quickly towards yoga (liberation or freedom from suffering).

The Wheel of Dharma - symbol of the Cycle of Causation

There are specific ways to follow your dharma.  Do your duty. Be kind. Exercise compassion. Live the 10 Buddhist Precepts or the Ten Commandments.  Practice the yamas and niyamas. Live a conscious and morally responsible life.  Think before you act.  Keep practicing yoga and follow the yoga teachings.  Most auspicious of all is meditation.   

Practice your meditation.  Meditation burns or eradicates the effects (fruits/samsaras) of past actions. The resulting purification allows us see more clearly and make wiser and better choices.  Therefore, meditation allows us to progress on the yoga path more quickly.

The victory over karma lies in intelligent action (karma) and dispassionate response (effect).  Arjuna made the correct choice according to his dharma by doing his duty and going into battle, eventually emerging victorious. He attained victory over both the opposing army and his initial resistance (samsara) by acting correctly.  His correct action (karma) resulted in attainment of yoga, enlightenment, or freedom from suffering.  This is true liberation (moksha).