Three Types of Karma - Important to understand Vedanta.

Discussion in 'Chitvish on Hindu Culture & Vedanta' started by Chitvish, Jul 18, 2008.

  1. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    The following two posts give an introduction to this topic.
    The Law of Karma - Part 1
    The Law of Karma - Part 2

    Karma in Hinduism is Cosmic in its operation range and extent. Accepting the Law of Karma with faith in God makes us understand that life is not an accident. It is based on an invisible moral order. While scientists talk about the visible physical order in the cosmos, the Law of Karma talks about the invisible moral order (Adhrshta phalam).
    The adhrshta-punya-papas are divided into three types.

    Sanchitha Karma:
    All unfructified punya-papas accumulated in the past infinite janmas are called
    Sanchitha Karma.

    Prarabdha Karma:
    Of this huge amount of Sanchitha Karmas, a portion fructifies giving a physical body. This fructifying portion is called Prarabdha Karma.
    Prarabdha means that which has begun to fructify. Prarabdha alone determines the type of body, the type of parentage, the duration of life and so on.
    Now, while exhausting Prarabdha Karmas, we are doing fresh karmas in this janma.

    Agami Karma:
    Agami means arriving. The punya papas which are acquired in this janma are called agami (yet toarrive and fructify in future) karma.

    Thus, we can say,
    Accumulated karmas are Sanchitha

    Fructifying ones are Prarabdha
    Arriving ones are Agami.

    In this janma, while I am exhausting the Prarabdha Karmas, I am earning Agami karmas.
    When the life comes to an end, prarabdha karmas are exhausted. Infact, it is the reverse! When prarabdha is exhausted, life stops. Some agami-karmas are likely to fructify in this janma itself and will also get exhausted. The unfructified agami-karmas will join the sanchitha karmas. Out of this, one portion becomes prarabdha and leads to our next birth.

    Thus the cycle of sanchitha, prarabdha and agami goes on.
    It is said that, a horoscope is an indicator of the pratabdha punya-papa in coded language.
    When shukra dasa helps me in winning a lottery, punyam is unfolded.
    When, during a dasa, say Rahu dasha, we go through problems in all fronts, prarabdha papam is affecting my life.

    When I do Prayaschitha karma, I am creating an agami-punyam to neutralise the prarabdha-papam. That may not eliminate the papam, but likely to reduce its impact
    depending on the strength of the papam.
    In the worst case, prayaschitha gives the strength to withstand the onslaught of Prabala (strong) prarabdha-papas. We must remember, prarabdham is adhrshtam and we can never know its power. So we must continue the prayaschitha till we get the required benefit.

    Now, let us take the case of a jnani.
    The scriptures say Self-Knowledge is so powerful that it destroys all sanchitha karmas. This is comparable to the radiation burning all cancerous cells in the body. The prarabdha karmas are exhausted by him through experience. He accepts them as God’s will and allows the body to go through them, without complaining. He exhausts all the prarabdha karmas, allotted to this janma.
    Agami does not come to a jnani because his actions are done without ego, because he has not identified with the body – anatma.
    So when a jnani dies, sanchitha is burnt; prarabdha is exhausted and agami is avoided. So, there is no question of punarjanma for him. He becomes one with the Lord. He attains videha-mukthi. His jnanam earns him this benefit. He is free from all types of bondage.

    Love,
    Chithra.
     
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  2. Anandchitra

    Anandchitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Chithra
    Thanks for writing more clearly on the types of Karmas. These are great references while reading the Gita posts.. this gives clarity and more in depth understanding.
     
  3. sundarusha

    sundarusha Gold IL'ite

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    Dear Mrs.C

    I was able to understand most part except when you say

    Some agami-karmas are likely to fructify in this janma itself and will also get exhausted.

    If agami is the one that is yet to arrive, how can it be exhausted in this birth---is it like instant rewards or penalties?
     
  4. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear AC,
    As we learn Gita or anyother scripture, these terms keep on repeating. Hence a separate post on them.
    Love,
    Chithra.



     
  5. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Usha,
    Yes, it like rewards or penalties in this janma itself.
    A few might have had a very unhappy childhood, but still helped others with their limited means. We see them leading a happy life later in life. The reverse also happens.
    This is like an account where we go on crediting only. The debiting is done only by Him, in whichver janma, He decides!
    Love,
    Chithra.



     
  6. Sriniketan

    Sriniketan IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Mrs.Chith,
    Thanks for making it clear, the definitions for 3 karmas...
    It is understood that we go on accumulating the results for our karmas...
    To become a jnani, it must be in His will...

    sriniketan
     
  7. mkthpavi

    mkthpavi Senior IL'ite

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    Dear Chithra..

    That was a truly elegant explanation of the various kinds of Karmas. I am sure of one thing - I am certainly blessed to be learning all these from your posts. I, for one, an year or so back, could never have imagined myself reading Bhagavad Gita with so much interest. I am blessed, thanks to you.

    Thanks and love
    Your IL disciple
    Pavithra
     
  8. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Bhargavi,
    To become a jnani, prarabdha karmas must be gone through completely & there will not be any more agami karmas because the knowledge "That thou art" has burnt them completely.
    Mahaperiyaval & Bhagawan Ramana are examples, I can think of.
    Love,
    Chithra.


     
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  9. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Pai,
    Thanks.
    We repeatedly use the word Prarabdam in our life. I defintely wanted to explain it to all of you & hence this "odd post" !
    Love,
    Chithra.


     
  10. shree

    shree Silver IL'ite

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    dear maami,

    wonderful explantion about the papas and punyas. i got a doubt only janani get out of the birth circle?. once in mahaperyaval book i read this, he said to the artist (i think silpi, (who drew kamkshi idol and maha swamigal) this is the last janma for u so make use of it by painting only gods pictures inorder to release yourself from the birth cycle. he is an artist and not a jnani then how was that possible.
     

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