The law of karma

It is always better to live with reality, because otherwise, without fail, reality will come to live with you. This is effectively what the Law of Karma means: It is the Law of Cause and Effect, very similar to Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.
The law of karma

It is always better to live with reality, because otherwise, without fail, reality will come to live with you. This is effectively what the Law of Karma means: It is the Law of Cause and Effect, very similar to Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.

The Law of Karma has a very significant contribution to an individual. We are ignorant of the cause of the past life, which has created our present destiny. But such ignorance cannot break the law. From birth to death, there is a perfect relationship of cause and effect, existing between our past actions and present life, regardless of our ignorance.

Thus, cause and effect is related to karma as it means the consequences of our actions. We all want positive karma, not negative, and the same rules apply - so it is essential that we think and act in a good way. All actions and thoughts create energy, and energy fields surround all things including our selves.

Hindu philosophy throw’s light on this Law of Karma. No power can stop it from yielding its fruits. Nothing can prevent it. Of all living beings, it is man who is bestowed with the power of discrimination. He has opportunities to improve his future life, by means of present actions.

The collective actions of each individual constitute that individual’s experience. If you think you have got away with something bad, it will come back to you and same will be done to you. You cannot get away from karma. You may escape the law of the land, but not your karma. Thought is also energy - be very careful about negative thoughts and whom you project. Think before you do something mean to someone else, even when they have done something mean to you. It could become a continual circle that you and the other person get stuck in, for many lifetimes.     

Life is a journey from womb to tomb. In between it has to pass through various stages, like birth, growth and old-age. The body is perishable. But the atman, which lives in the gross body is immortal, but it is the witness of all our functions. Atman, will not be rid of vasanas, which will have an effect on an individual during the next birth. State present life, depends upon the vasanas of our past life, be it good or bad.

One emerging truth is that all are governed by the Law of Karma that enjoins each individual to be responsible for his deeds, both good and bad.

The path to liberation is not easy and requires tremendous effort, perseverance and determination. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains the means by which jeevatmas can seek the ultimate goal by gaining knowledge of the universal truths. While the effect of past actions will have to borne by us, their consequences can be considerably reduced by living in the presence of living master. 

Law of Karma goes one step ahead of Law of Destiny. It indicates that the future lies under one’s control. By choosing the right path, the future can be modified. It is not important which role an individual plays, but the importance lies in how well he plays the role assigned to him. It is therefore critical to search for guidance from such a master. 

We have no control over the past, nor do we know the future in store for us. What all we know is the present life. Thousands of such samskaras are stored-up in our mind, and get activated as vasanas. Hence, it is necessary to be sincere and honest, during the present role. Vasanas form the connecting link, for the chain of births and deaths.

This article is an Ashirvachana given by Late Sri Balagangadaranatha Mahaswamiji

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