The concept of karma has become widespread to the point of having gained mainstream acceptance, both in terms of parlance and worldview. Both the frequent usage of the term in day-to-day conversations and the implicit acceptance of the idea that our actions are correlated with certain conditions or situations that we encounter as a result of those past actions—or put simply, the principle that actions and results are correlated—reflect this acceptance. This prevalence of the concept of karma is a positive sign.
What is challenging is the lack of clarity in understanding its essential purpose and how karma is to be approached and adopted in our life. When karma is seen primarily as a principle of consequence, people view it as a system where we are subjected to the results of our actions, often focusing on present inequities as the consequence of past deeds. With this focus, the question arises: what kind of system of justice imposes punishment without even informing the person of what wrong they had done, let alone giving them a chance to defend themselves?
Such a simplistic, punitive interpretation of karma can burden people with guilt for some unknown wrongdoing in the past, compounding their present suffering. The Bhagavad-gita (4.17) tells us that the workings of karma are very difficult to understand. In that very verse, the focus is forward-looking, not backward-looking, in the sense that we are encouraged to carefully choose and refrain from negative actions.
Undoubtedly, karma implies that actions have consequences. Nonetheless, discerning the exact cause of suffering is very difficult as karma is deeply rooted and intricate. Even in the Bhagavad-gita itself, although the all-knowing Krishna is present before Arjuna, Krishna does not delve into any esoteric past life revelation to explain why they are now compelled to fight each other despite their affection.
This forward-looking focus of karma is very encouraging. It implies that our actions matter, even when they don’t seem to matter. If our present actions are not yielding expected results, it doesn’t mean they are futile. Even if we are doing the right thing and not seeing immediate positive outcomes, our right actions still matter. It could be because we are experiencing a negative phase due to past negative karma, and the results of our current actions are yet to manifest.
Nonetheless, if we continue doing the right and responsible things now, those actions will contribute to a bright future, even if that future may not materialize until the negative phase runs its course. By giving us hope and confidence, karma assures us that life is not arbitrarily or permanently rigged against us, nor is there an inimical providence set to destroy us.
This understanding empowers us to persist through difficult times by steadily adhering to our dharma—striving to do actions that will either improve the situation or at least make us better equipped to face it. Such an affirmative understanding of karma, as a worldview that provides encouragement rather than justifying punishment, can empower us to persevere through the darkest phases of our life.
Summary:
- When karma is seen primarily as a worldview that justifies punishment for past wrongdoings, it raises questions about the justice of the system.
- The past wrong is neither explained to us nor are we given an opportunity to defend ourselves.
- A more subtle and affirmative understanding of karma assures us that our actions matter, even when they don’t seem to matter.
- We can feel encouraged to do the right and responsible thing, knowing that it will contribute to a bright future and its results will manifest as soon as the current negative karmic phase ends.
Think it over:
- Why does seeing karma primarily as a worldview that justifies suffering and punishment pose problems?
- How does the Bhagavad-gita challenge a punitive vision of karma?
- How can an affirmative understanding of karma philosophy encourage us during life’s difficult phases?
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04.17 The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is and what inaction is.
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