Karma in Hinduism

The word Karma literally means actions or deeds. It refers to our good actions that may lead to a good and beneficial future or our bad deeds that may lead to a painful future. As much the word Karma may direct us towards Hinduism, it is a very well known concept in all the major religions of the world, just defined and followed in different ways. We all know about the scientific phrase to every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

As said in Mahabharata: This is the sum of all true righteousness: Deal with others as thou wouldst thyself be dealt by. Do nothing to thy neighbor which thou wouldst not have him do to thee hereafter.

Karma and Bhagawat Gita

Bhagavad-Gita categorizes Karma as follows: Karma- that which will help our soul to evolve; Vikarma-that which will degrade us; and Akarma-that which will lead to liberation.

According to Hinduism, karma is the results of our actions. If we have a happy and comfortable life, it is said that it is the result of our good karma from our past action as well as our past lives. Similarly, if we are facing difficulties in life, it is believed that we are responsible for our past actions and wrong deeds. Hinduism believes that we carry forward the actions and deeds of our past life to our present life. It is believed that if one lifetime is not enough to pay for the negative karma, then we will have to reincarnate to neutralize that in the next birth.

Acts of generosity, giving, kindness etc( for more info please see The five virtues of Pranic Healing and Arhatic Yoga ) is believed to add to good karma which diminishes the bad karma. According to Hindu religion the act of karma is used to achieve Moksha. Moksha is the ultimate goal of Hinduism. In order to achieve moksha one is expected to minimize bad karma and add more and more to his good karma so that after repeated reincarnation a human being is able to achieve Moksha.