Core Teaching

Karma is the infallible law of action and reaction governing the universe. Every action creates a reaction—either immediately or in the future, either in this life or the next. Unlike earthly justice systems that can be corrupted, escaped, or manipulated, karmic law is perfect, universal, and inescapable. There are three types of karma: punya karma (pious activities leading to material enjoyment), papa karma (sinful activities leading to suffering), and akarma (transcendental action that creates no karmic reaction). Understanding karma answers life’s most perplexing questions: Why do bad things happen to good people? Why are some born rich while others born poor? How can we escape the cycle of action and reaction?

Key Concepts

The Three Types of Karma

1. Punya Karma (Pious/Good Karma)

  • Definition: Actions performed according to scriptural principles and moral law
  • Examples: Charity, truthfulness, compassion, service to others, clean living, meditation
  • Result: Material happiness, wealth, health, good relationships, higher birth
  • Limitation: Still binds you to the material world; you must “cash in” your good karma by enjoying it
  • Problem: Temporary—once good karma is exhausted, suffering may return

Sanskrit Term: Punya - piety, merit, virtue (pronounced: POON-yah)

2. Papa Karma (Sinful/Bad Karma)

  • Definition: Actions that violate natural and scriptural law
  • Examples: Violence, lying, stealing, intoxication, exploitation, cruelty, selfishness
  • Result: Suffering, disease, poverty, broken relationships, lower birth
  • Duration: Must be suffered through—no escape without experiencing the reaction
  • Justice: Ensures that wrongdoing is not without consequence, even if evaded in this life

Sanskrit Term: Papa - sin, demerit (pronounced: PAH-pah)

3. Akarma (Action in Inaction / Transcendental Action)

  • Definition: Actions performed in devotion to the Supreme with no desire for personal enjoyment
  • Examples: Service to God, chanting holy names, offering food to Krishna and eating prasadam, work done as offering
  • Result: No material karmic reaction—neutralizes past karma, leads to liberation
  • Key: Action must be done without attachment to results and offered to the Divine
  • Goal: This is the path to freedom from the karmic cycle

Sanskrit Term: Akarma - inaction in action, transcendental action (pronounced: ah-KUHR-mah)

The Karmic Bank Account

Think of karma like a bank account:

  • Punya karma = Credits (deposits of good fortune you’ll withdraw later)
  • Papa karma = Debts (suffering you’ll experience to balance the account)
  • Akarma = Closing the account entirely (no more deposits or debts—liberation)

You carry this karmic bank account from life to life. Your current circumstances (wealth, health, intelligence, beauty, challenges, disabilities) are withdrawals/payments from this account based on past actions. Your current actions are creating the balance for your next life.

Key Insight: The goal is not to accumulate massive good karma (you’ll just have to come back to enjoy it). The goal is to neutralize all karma through devotional service and exit the cycle of birth and death.

The Infallible Nature of Karma

Unlike human justice systems, karmic law:

  • Cannot be bribed or corrupted
  • Knows your true intentions (not just outward actions)
  • Operates across lifetimes (reactions may come in future lives)
  • Is perfectly fair (though it may not seem so from limited human perspective)
  • Can be modified only through grace (of the Supreme or by spiritual practice)

Scriptural Foundation

Bhagavad Gita 3.9:

“Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu (the Supreme) has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.” Meaning: Only actions performed for the pleasure of God qualify as akarma and free us from karmic reactions.

Bhagavad Gita 4.37:

“As the blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge burn to ashes all reactions to material activities.” Meaning: Spiritual knowledge combined with devotional practice destroys accumulated karma like fire burns wood.

Galatians 6:7 (Biblical parallel):

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Stories & Illustrations

The Soldier Analogy

A soldier fighting in a righteous war ordained by the government kills enemy combatants. Is this papa karma (sin)?

Answer: No—because:

  1. He is following his prescribed duty (kshatriya dharma)
  2. The action is sanctioned by higher authority
  3. He is not acting from personal hatred or desire for gain
  4. He is protecting dharma and society

Contrast: If the same soldier murders someone out of personal anger, revenge, or greed—this IS papa karma, even though the action (killing) is the same.

Lesson: Karma depends not only on the action itself but on context, duty, consciousness, and intention.

The Mysterious Inequities of Life

Scenario 1: A newborn child is born with severe disabilities in a war-torn, impoverished country. Why? Karmic Explanation: Past life karma is being experienced. Perhaps in a previous life, this soul caused suffering to others. This current life offers the opportunity to exhaust that karma and, through suffering, develop compassion and humility.

Scenario 2: A cruel, dishonest person becomes wealthy and powerful. Karmic Explanation: They are “withdrawing” punya karma earned in a previous life. But their current cruel actions are accumulating massive papa karma, which they will suffer in future lives. Wealth now does not mean escape from consequences.

Scenario 3: A saintly, kind person suffers disease and loss. Karmic Explanation: They may be burning through residual papa karma from past lives. By accepting suffering with grace and maintaining devotion, they are rapidly purifying their consciousness and will transcend material existence.

Lesson: Surface appearances are misleading. Only with knowledge of past lives and karmic balances can we understand why circumstances are as they are.

The Farmer and the Harvest

A farmer plants seeds (actions), waters and cares for them (repeated actions build karma), and eventually harvests crops (reactions/results).

  • If he plants wheat, he harvests wheat (punya karma → happiness)
  • If he plants thorns, he harvests thorns (papa karma → suffering)
  • If he offers his entire harvest to God and lives simply, he is free (akarma → liberation)

You cannot plant thorns and expect wheat. You cannot escape the harvest once seeds are planted. But you CAN dedicate your farming to the Divine and transcend the whole cycle.

Practical Application (Sadhana)

Daily Practices:

  1. Conscious Action Review: Each evening, reflect on the day:
    • What punya karma did I create today? (Acts of kindness, honesty, self-control)
    • What papa karma did I create today? (Harsh words, selfishness, neglect)
    • What akarma did I create today? (Service, chanting, offering work to God)
  2. Transform Work into Akarma:
    • Before starting work, say: “I offer this work to Krishna/God. May the results be used for higher purpose.”
    • Work diligently without attachment to outcomes
    • After work, offer the fruits: “Whatever came from this work, I offer to You.”
  3. Practice Forgiveness to Neutralize Karma:
    • Forgive those who wronged you—this prevents creating more papa karma through resentment
    • Seek forgiveness from those you wronged—this mitigates your papa karma
    • Understand everyone is acting under karmic influence—cultivate compassion
  4. Burn Karma Through Knowledge:
    • Study sacred texts regularly (Bhagavad Gita, spiritual literature)
    • Associate with spiritually elevated souls
    • Contemplate the temporary nature of material existence
  5. Neutralize Karma Through Devotion:
    • Chant Hare Krishna mantra daily (even 5-10 minutes)
    • Offer your meals to God before eating (turns eating into akarma)
    • Perform acts of service for the pleasure of the Divine, not for recognition

Contemplation Questions:

  • What karmic reactions am I experiencing now? Can I trace them to actions in this life?
  • Am I creating more punya or papa karma in my current lifestyle?
  • How can I shift my daily activities from karma/vikarma to akarma?
  • Do I truly accept the law of karma, or do I still believe things are random/unfair?

Common Obstacles & Solutions

Obstacle 1: “If everything is karma, why should I try to help anyone? Their suffering is their own karma to burn.” Solution: This is a dangerous misunderstanding. Compassionate service itself creates punya karma for you (if done for material benefit) or akarma (if done for the pleasure of God). Additionally, the very desire to help others may itself be orchestrated by karma—perhaps you are the instrument through which someone’s good karma manifests relief. Karma doesn’t negate compassion; it explains suffering without removing our duty to serve.

Obstacle 2: “I’ve done many bad things. Am I doomed to suffer for lifetimes?” Solution: No! The beauty of akarma (devotional service) is that it burns karma rapidly—like fire burns wood to ash. Sincere chanting of the holy names, genuine repentance, and dedicated service can neutralize even massive karmic debt. The Supreme’s mercy is more powerful than your karma. As Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 18.66: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”

Obstacle 3: “If I’m successful and happy, is it because I’m a good person or just good karma from the past?” Solution: Both may be true. Success may come from past punya karma, but your current character determines what you do with that success. A good person uses success to serve others and God (creating akarma). A selfish person uses success for personal gratification (creating papa karma despite current comfort). The test of character is what you do with the gifts karma has given you.

Obstacle 4: “The law of karma seems harsh—why should I suffer for actions I don’t even remember from past lives?” Solution: The purpose of karma is education, not punishment. Each life is a classroom where the soul learns lessons necessary for spiritual evolution. Suffering refines the soul, builds compassion, and motivates the search for higher truth. Karma is not vindictive—it’s pedagogical. When you graduate from the school of material existence through realization and devotion, karma no longer applies.

Connection to Bhakti

In bhakti, karma is understood not as a prison but as a teaching tool that ultimately leads the soul back to God. The path of bhakti offers the most direct and powerful means of transcending karma:

How Bhakti Burns Karma:

  1. Chanting the Holy Names: The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is pure spiritual sound. It directly purifies consciousness and neutralizes karmic reactions. Even unintentional chanting has this effect—how much more when chanted with devotion!

  2. Eating Prasadam: Food offered to Krishna and then eaten becomes transcendental. Ordinary eating binds us in karma (killing plants/animals, sense gratification). Prasadam frees us—we receive Krishna’s mercy with every bite.

  3. Selfless Service (Seva): When actions are performed purely for Krishna’s pleasure, they create no karmic bondage. The devotee thinks: “I am Krishna’s servant. This body, this life, these abilities—all are His. Let me use them for Him.”

  4. Surrender (Sharanagati): The ultimate akarma is complete surrender to Krishna. As stated in Bhagavad Gita 18.66, surrendering to the Supreme grants deliverance from all karmic reactions.

The Devotee’s Unique Position:

  • Still may experience some karma from the past (Krishna allows this for the devotee’s purification)
  • But all new actions are akarma—creating no new bondage
  • Any remaining karma is greatly reduced by Krishna’s mercy
  • Suffering is seen as Krishna’s grace, teaching detachment from material life
  • Ultimate destination is not material heaven (result of good karma) but spiritual world (result of devotion)

Bhagavad Gita 9.30-31:

“Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace.”

Integration & Reflection

Essence (Sara):

Karma is the universe’s perfect accounting system—every action creates a reaction, if not now, then later; if not in this life, then the next. Pious karma leads to temporary happiness, sinful karma to suffering, but both bind us to material existence. Only akarma—action in devotion to the Supreme without desire for personal benefit—liberates us from the karmic cycle. Understanding karma transforms our perspective: circumstances are not random but meaningful, suffering has purpose, and every action matters. Through devotion, we transcend karma entirely and return to our eternal spiritual home.

Personal Insights:

[Reflect on your current life circumstances through the lens of karma. What challenges might be past karma manifesting? What gifts and opportunities have you been given? How are you using them—for personal enjoyment (creating more karma) or for service (creating akarma)? Have you experienced swift consequences for actions that felt like instant karma? How does understanding karma change your perspective on justice, fairness, and suffering?]

This Week’s Focus:

Contemplation: “Am I creating punya karma, papa karma, or akarma through my daily actions?”

Practice: This week, before eating each meal, offer it mentally to the Supreme (even silently saying “I offer this food to God” or “Krishna, please accept this offering”). Then eat as prasadam (mercy). Notice how this shifts your consciousness around food.

Intention: When I experience difficulty this week, I will ask: “What is this teaching me?” rather than “Why is this happening to me?” This shifts from victim consciousness to student consciousness.

Further Study

  • Scripture Reading:
    • Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga—the path of selfless action)
    • Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 (Knowledge and the nature of action/inaction)
    • Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 (Renunciation through knowledge of karma)
    • Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 (Final summary of karma and liberation)
  • Recommended Resources:
    • Research historical cases of children with past-life memories (Jim B. Tucker, Ian Stevenson)
    • Study the five topics of Bhagavad Gita (see below)
    • Contemplate: How would society change if everyone truly understood karma?
  • Related Topics:
    • The intersection of karma, free will, and destiny (Lesson 7)
    • Transmigration and spiritual evolution (Lesson 8)
    • How the modes of nature influence karmic creation

Quick Reference - Key Terms

Sanskrit Translation Pronunciation
Karma Action, deed, fate KUHR-mah
Punya Piety, merit, good karma POON-yah
Papa Sin, demerit, bad karma PAH-pah
Akarma Transcendental action, inaction in action ah-KUHR-mah
Vikarma Forbidden action, sinful activity vee-KUHR-mah
Sanchita Karma Accumulated karma (stored from past lives) sahn-CHEE-tah KUHR-mah
Prarabdha Karma Karma being experienced now (this life) prah-RUHB-dah KUHR-mah
Kriyamana Karma Karma being created now (current actions) kree-yah-MAH-nah KUHR-mah