Law of Karma

The Law of Karma

T. Manohar Rao (late) Bangalore, India

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Karma: Hindu philosophy of the Dynamic Law of Karma is the law of cause and effect. As the law of karma is interconnected with the soul and not the physical body, the existence of the soul is to be proved first.

Physical body is a temporary

phenomena and exists only in one physical life while soul is permanent and exists for ever, till it merges with cosmic light. Karma follows the soul and the physical body suffers.

Every exercise of the human beings in thought, speech and action act as a

normal cause and confers on the agent an amount of merit or demerit according to the act performed.

This moral effect influences the subsequent fate of the

native concerned. Man releases an equivalent energy with his action, speech and thoughts, which forms the base of future events. An energy once released has to expend itself in obedience to the universe law of cause and effect and its process of disintegration gives the result or phala which is in the form of an event as experienced by the human beings.

According to Karma theory, karma forces enter the region of ether and remain

there for the duration of an interval at the end of which they fructify in the form of an event. Being released from the same source, they have a tendency to get

together to form a magnetic field of their own. Such position of karma which

could not mature and give results during the life time of the native, will surround his soul when it comes out of its physical body. In this process it is guided by nature of Prarabdha Karma to select a suitable environment for it to fructify.

This is known as rebirth. The soul according to its karmic results enters a physical body and suffers or enjoys accordingly. There are 3 types of Karmas:

(1) Sanchita Karma or Accumulated Karma; (2) Prarabdha Karma or Operative Karma;

(3) Kriyamana Karma (Agamni Karma) or Prospective Karma. 2

Sanchita karma is the accumulated karma of all the previous births to be

faced during future birth. Prarabdha karma is scheduled to suffer or enjoy in an appropriate physical body. Kriyamana karma is the one which has been

done or is to be done in the present birth. Generally Kriyamana karma gets accumulated with Sanchita karma (where the agent is doing karma and may not

have any future birth as in case of Yogis), when the karma is extremely wicked or

highly virtuous, in which case the fruit is reaped in the same birth itself or very quickly. According to law of Karma, when the evil acts of the wicked person starts to fructify then he perceives the painful effect of his wickedness; and a

virtuous person is convinced of the efficacy of his present good deeds only

when, at the opportune moment, they fructify giving abundant bliss.

Every action has a reaction. Every remedial measure also has it own reaction

depending on the quality of the remedial measure selected. All good karmas

can be remedial measures and all remedial measures cannot be good karmas.

Yogic meditation, shanti, prayers, pujas, fasting, aradhana, etc. are remedial measures as well as powerful good karmas. Wearing of astrological rings,

bangles, gems, listening to musical tunes are also remedial measures, but are

not taken as good karmas. All the good karmas done by one will not act as

remedies to relieve him from his past evil deeds. The good karma done will

give results according to the state of mind of the native at the time of action. Any good karma done with a desire for worldly objects develop such desire

endlessly. Acts done without any such desires, but for love of God, and in spirit of surrender to Him will act as an antidote and remove such evil karmas.

Therefore the state of mind at the time of remedial act or any act of human beings,

is most important in deciding the result of the karma.The fundamental tendencies of astrology and karma theory are almost identical, i.e., our past and present actions will tend to determine our future evolution.

If the theory of rebirth is not accepted it is not possible to explain the destiny of man and all the differences and disparities, in spite of apparently equal dose of will and effect. The law of karma operates through a series of births and man 3

has to suffer the consequences of his action until he regulates his action by true knowledge of wisdom. There is a free will to act or not to act, but once acted, the

law of karma will bring its own result. There is no escape from the inevitable

but many by excercise of their own will, may change their future, and thereby create their destiny. This karma is revealed in the planetary configuration in a

horoscope of individual or nation. The law of karma therefore indicts the cause and effect relationship. The soul has been given immortality.

In each birth, the native carries one step forward to fulfill the purpose of his creation to its goal. The law of karma suggests that our action,

physical or

psychical are performed according to a regulated law, and to a definite end, and the results may fructify in an hour, month, year or whole life or many lives.

Actions remain in the form of unseen karma . The doctrine of karma is "as a man soweth, so shall he reap".

Astrology is the one subject which illustrates the law of karma in no uncertain

terms. To assume otherwise is to betray lack of understanding of the Law of Compensation. The

first point in karma is to learn that the body is

controlled by an

understanding mind. At some time or other a person feels that specific state of existence could be related to action either in this or past birth. The concept that whatever comes with existence is born again in the revolutions of a certain

cycle, nothing being new. There is no fatalism. Karma is the sum total of work

done, good or bad in previous states. These cycles of activities produce a degree

of karma- shakti in each person. Shakti can be called energy concentrated in

genes of each person carried from one existence to the other. The degree of energy is revealed by the ascendantat birth and is known by term of longevity.

The longevity can be described as the period of our sufferings or enjoyment in this cycle. This duration is called `Jeeva' the unfolder of karma, i.e., work. The

horoscope

reveals the law of

Mankind is composed of males

conditional

or dependent origination.

and females, each possessing an individual 4

vibratory element, which creates a state of consciousness. This state in the

present is a reflection of the past. The world is only an ever surging sea of corporal phenomena responding to social function, good or bad. The latter can

be controlled here and now by developing high energy of karma shakti through wisdom, generosity, virtue and faith.

Karma of the body is revealed by Ascendent, and its Lord points to the extent of longevity. The Sun shows physical energy, Moon the mental power. These are

vital factors which assist a human to express his/her vocation through karmasthana, i.e., 10th house which indicates the fruits of karma gathered in the

previous existence -good/bad. This karma affects one, till one reaches final emancipation or gains redemption. There are 7 sections in this state. The first is the last before this birth and 7th is the one immediately after rebirth, i.e.,

transition.

The 10th house sign reveals specific karma plans or field of activity. If this house

is strong, inference is that the native has earned a lot of merit, if contrary, bad actions have been apprehended. The action is indicated by the 10th house has

already been determined in the previous birth. When powerful planets (good

orbad) transit the 10th house, the cosmic force being unobstructed, the pattern

at birth is unfolded.

Astrology and Psychology

Deep in the background of man's evolution is nothing more than the development

of man's response to different energies.

Astrology is a map of the mode of

operation of these energies. Psychology does not recognise the soul or Divine

Self. It does not recognise reincarnation and fails to give a proper reason on why

people react differently to the same event and environment.

If given the correct time of birth, place and date, a competent astrologer can

within half an hour, tell more about a person reading the horoscope, than apsycho-analysis can do in 3 years. Astrology also reveals the potential in an individual of which he himself may not be aware of.

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Psychology bogs itself down in a maze, of complexes and concepts, which do not

bring harmony into the picture. Psychology can use parts of it for the masses as

a preparatory step. Two main facts which are missing in Psychology are plain common sense and a feeling of the heart.

From the horoscope, the people can be advised to choose pursuits, without wasting energy, those with ability could be shown their bent and the correct

time and direction to use it. Aptitude tests only reveal the interviewers bias and

generally distorts the opinion, but the horoscope gives a strong clue to the

emotional nature of the native. Psychology does not offer such depth and width in the scope of human knowledge about emotional nature, mind, body, etc.

Unless psychology takes a real serious look into astrology and

The

recent investigation by psychologists confirms the diagnostic power of

horoscope, it will never have a full understanding of man and his nature.

the

astrology. They have discovered that tension built in human systems at an angle

with reference to the Moon's phase. i.e., the angle between the Sun and the

Moon.

Major part of one's

nature

and temperament depended upon the

particular lunar phase that one was born in. Psychology

is a science which reveals

mind to understand its potentialities

and investigates over the human

and also lapses.

carefully under different conditions and environments. Similarly astrology unearths secrets of the

human mind

This -

is

studied

"Chandrama

Manasojathaha". i.e., Moon is the mirror of mind. Astrologer uses the natal chart

of the native to dwell deep into the mental and physical plane of the native and

suggest methods of improving or facing the deficiencies. Fate, Free will

The problem of fate and free will is an eternal topic. According to people of free

will, determination is on the whole demoralising since it tends to shift

responsibilities from oneselves to God or Karma, at the same time paralysing the will to reform one's conduct when that is needed. There is a serious charge

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made against Astrology in that it is fatalistic in nature, which ignores free will and human action. It is felt that faith in Astrology means surrender to unseen fate which is supposed to bring inaction.

Weak willed and pleasure craving, with emotional and unbalanced characters,

may yield repeatedly to impulses, which they inwardly disapprove, but claim that

fate had decreed the same and they had no other option. The fatalist on the other hand maintains that since the future is already determined, it is just not possible to think of free will or human action.

Fate or destiny is described as an unseen force that emanates purely from Divine

Will over which the persons have but little control, i.e., what is fated cannot be blotted.

Our ancient sages had a correct vision and a better idea of fate and free will. They have said `Success in all worlds' affairs depends on the laws of destiny controlled by the actions of mortals in their previous lives and the conduct of the individuals. It is also said that the individuals besides their past karmas, the

displeasure of certain bearings (known in Astrology as Daiva Kopa), or graha

dosha may not get the

success

as desired.

But Astrology prescribes some

remedial measures for such consequences. In this connection we may recall

from Raghuvamsa that King Dilipa had no issues despite his noble, pious and charitable nature, as he had the displeasure of Kamadhenu, whom he did not

rever during his return journey from Indra's place. Sage Vasisht then advised the King to serve Nandini, the daughter of Kamadhenu and thus get the blessing of the Divine. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that though He is the

controller of destiny, Arjuna must do his part of duty. So there is no uncontrolled free will in the affairs of any one; but these cannot be absolute predetermined either. The man is free to surrender himself to the Supreme or disobey His command, unless there is an element of free will. In our classics like Ramayana and Mahabharatha, the doctrines have been stated to the problem of fate against free will.

The prescription of remedial measures or prayers show that not

every thing is fate, but man can fashion his future by his actions. So at every stage

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there is the operation of the intelligence to determine the step. This capacity for

the intelligence to determine steps at every stage is known as Free Will, and the

condition that limits the freedom of the free will to determine, is called Fate. If

there is no such conditioning factor there would have been only chaos. If there

had been no such Free Will these would have been only uniformity and no differentiation.

Astrology plays a very important part in a man's life, conforming to moral laws

of universe. Moral laws are determined by the existence of freedom and power and when these are taken advantage of in a prescribed way, there is a moral

element. Astrology can only indicate the tendencies. Astrology plays more or less the same par tin

human affairs, as meteorology plays in the direction and

control of an aeroplane. If everything in future is predetermined and if the

individual has no other functions than to be a passive spectator and victim of

such predetermined events of the future, distinction between favourable and unfavourable situations does not have any meaning. according to evolution.

The freedom develops

Freedom produces activity and

fruits or results. Fatalism blocks the activity and hence fruits.

activity produces

Astrololgy neither encourages nor advocates fatalism. It only reveals to us the

cosmos' force which help or retard our progress.

Astrology enables us to estimate with some precision the amount of extension which is required to be put forth in order to attain the fulfilment of life.

One of the first philosophical question that comes up in one's mind regarding astrological claims, is that of human freedom. If the future of the native is determined by the planets and stars, there is nothing that he can achieve by his own efforts. His life will be reduced to that of a puppet.

Astrology reveals only the general influence of planets and stars in our life

and development. It reveals tendencies, i.e., good or bad times for some kinds of choice.

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Man is partly free and partly bound.

His physical nature, his heredity, his

position in the cosmos and even his society is pre-determined. He begins his life with a certain number of facts that cannot be changed,

i.e.,

he

cannot

change his parentage, nationality, his place or country, his temperament, even

the life fund of energy - these are his capital.

But he can use this capital in various ways, so as to rise higher or sink lower in the scale of value.

He can better himself in character and social status or

diminish his stature by bad conduct. He has freedom to make or mar himself. He has not enough freedom to command nature and history to suit his fancies.

There is no reason to think that Astrology seals the fate of every human being at

birth, determining each one of his acts of choice, every moment of his life.

Astrology does not support the idea of fate or completely determined life for man, mechanism movements by previous operating causes, i.e., karma.

A man's heredity, character and potentials are the summation of his own deeds in the previous lives. His present life is influenced by

operative

karma

or

prarabdha - tendencies of his previous deeds that have started to function. The

other hidden-in-nature, the bad ones amongst them can be prevented from

taking shape through his choice. He can modify the future to some extent,

while he has to suffer consequence of the past. Even the results of deeds of the

past lives in the present can be converted by the native by following remedial measures for his betterment. It is very much important to note that the life can be moulded to suit our needs and betterment by adopting suitable methods.

It might be a comfortable thought to imagine that our future lies in ourselves.

But life is such that in any major thing we do, we are held down, influenced and many times thwarted from doing what we want to do by social, religious,

family,

economic

and

other compulsions.

It is hence natural to speculate

whether such compulsion bogs us down, or in any way indicated

by extra

terrestrial phenomena. Until proved otherwise, we may well suppose that it is

the order of nature that there is a correlation better movement of planet and

direction of man.

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