Karma literally means “deed or act” but it more broadly describes the principle of cause and effect. The theory of karma is based on the cosmological law that every action produces an equal and opposite reaction. Every person is responsible for his or her actions, speech and thoughts, so each person’s karma is entirely his or her own. Everything that happens in an individual’s life is as a result of karma or the seeds that one plants and these seeds are of two types, namely, virtue and sin.
The scriptural text, ‘Shiva Sanghitaa’, describes the three classes of karma that ought to be performed by individuals as they wend their way through the corridors of this lifetime on earth. These classes are:
A) ‘Nitya karma’ – daily actions
B) ‘Naimittik karma’ – occasional religious observances
C) ‘Kaamya karma’ – optional acts.
A. ‘Nitya karma’ consist of daily duties. Basically there are five injunctions that are prescribed as daily duties but which do not yield extra blessings. In reality, they constitute repayment of debts of gratitude. One who fails to carry them out, incurs sin. Briefly explained these debts are owed to:
- God – as repayment by daily worship, such as offering ‘jal’, lighting ‘deya’, offering flowers, incense, ‘chandan’, performing ‘aarti’ and other similar actions.
- Rishis – They are fathers of ‘Dharma’ who have provided many scriptures for our own enlightenment. Daily reading of these texts is a requisite of all.
- Pitris (ancestors) – They have handed down a body of laws, practices, values and systems, which future generations need to carry out. It is a daily responsibility of all to maintain these traditions, enhance them, if possible, and ensure that they are propagated.
- Society – We are all beneficiaries of the society we live in. In return, we need to serve mankind, repay and continue to build standards without expectations. We need to provide service selflessly, seeking no rewards or remuneration.
- Lower forms of creation – taking care of animals, providing homes, nourishment and comfort to these animals and caring for them as pets are some ways that man can carry out this mandatory injunction.
B. ‘Naimittik karma’ – Many religious celebrations have been prescribed by our scriptures that provide opportunities for added blessings and for increasing one’s spiritual assets. These are occasions such as Nav Raatri, Maha Shiva Raatri, Raam Navami, Janam Ashtmi and other such festivals. Even ‘shraadh karma’ is an occasion that adds affluence to one’s life spiritually. Like ‘nitya karma’, one who fails to carry out these injunctions incurs sin.
C. ‘Kaamya karma’ – Such actions include worship that is based on desire. The various ‘poojas’, ‘kathas’ and ‘maha yagyas’ are different kinds of ‘kaamya karma’ that can be carried out and which bring additional blessings to one’s life. Again, failure to carry out these also is sinful.
It must be remembered that one’s destiny lies in one’s own hands. The level of failure or success that one receives depends solely on oneself. Therefore, it is incumbent upon each individual to carry out the injunctions and avoid all prohibitions as sanctioned by the scriptures. These are the stepping stones that lead to oneness with the Divine.
