Today I had a very good read “ Theory of Karma”
http://www.hirabhaithakkar.net/karma1.htm
.Marathi version for this book is called “Karmacha Siddhanta”. I had assignment from Kanchan to study
chapter 11~21 of Marathi book & explain her my learnings. Here are my thoughts! I will start with
Summary of the book & then detail thoughts on my assignment
Summary:
Guruji ( author Haribhai Thakkar) talks about “Law of Karma” (chapter
1~5) first & then dwells on types of Karma ( chapter 6~9). From chapter 10
to 20 are his thoughts on “Prarabdha” & “Purushartha” & remaining portion
of the text focuses on “Mokshaprapti” (liberation). Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga &
Dnyanyoga are the three ways towards eliminating Karmabandhana & get
Moksha.
Law of Karma:
- जैसी करणी वैसी
भरणी. (you will reap what you will
sow)
- कराल ते भराल.
- Every action has reaction.
- भगवान के घर
दर है अंधेर
नही ( Though delayed you will have
justice )
- You have to bear the fruits of your deeds
- You have right on Action not on Result! (कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।)
All these sentences state Law of Karma.
This law is eternal, all pervading law. You cannot run away from the
law, even if you do not understand it.
Explaining Law of Karma in
details:
But Sometimes we feel doubt on this law, as
- Many time we see evil winning
- Good getting defeated, lashed, not succeeding
- Sometimes, quick responses like getting burn if playing with fire.
So how to solve these inconsistencies?
Here Guruji explains 3 terms, which will help solving these riddle.
- Kriyaman Karma (क्रियमाण
कर्म ) – Which we are doing
now.
- Sanchit Karma (संचित कर्म) – Deed of past of which
fruits are yet to be experienced.
- Prarabdha (प्रारब्ध) – fruits
of Sanchit karma now fructifying. Prarabdha Karma
are the part of sanchita karma, a collection of past karmas, which are ready to
be experienced through the present body (incarnation).
Our today's situation is summation of part of
kriyaman Karma+ Prarabdha. Part of Kriyaman, which is not fructified instantly,
gets added to Sanchit karma as shown in the chart below
This shows if Prarabdha of today’s sinner is good, he will still enjoy
good state. Otherwise a gentleman doing all good things in life, if his earlier
sins are fructifying now will be in difficult situation. Riddle solved.
For better tomorrow, you need better Sanchit, so better Kriyaman is
required. There are three guna’s (गुण)
which we exhibit while doing Kriyamana Karma: Satwik, Rajasik & Tamasik (सात्विक राजसिक आणि तामसिक). Good
tomorrow is ensured with Satwik Guna. As we had many birth cycles, many times
the force of Sanchit is high, which we sometimes call as destiny.
Now let’s understand What
Purushartha Means
The purpose of Kriyaman Karma is called Purushartha. 'Artha' means aim
or goal of human life. The concept of Purushartha basically indicates different
values to be realized in human life through human efforts. There are four
Purusharthas or aims of life as propounded by Manu, viz., Dharma (धर्म -virtue), Artha (अर्थ- wealth), Kama (काम- pleasure), and Moksha (मोक्ष- liberation).
Sage Vyas says - उर्ध्वबहुविरोम्यैष:
धर्मादार्थाश्च कामश्च – I am raising my hands and telling, please listen
Kama and Artha is only because of Dharma, follow Dharma.
Please note that our current situation is dependent on Both –
purrushartha & prarabdha. So effort is required in life. Truth is you
cannot even breathe without effort or karma.
One more point guruji makes is experience your Prarabhdha and walk
towards your liberation in this birth. Then the question comes: if all the
sanchit is not going to be finished by experiencing the fruits of it, will we
get moksha in this birth? Answer is yes
explained in reminder of the book.
उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत, क्षुरासन्न धारा निशिता दुरत्यद्दुर्गम पथ: तत् कवयो वदन्ति
(Arise! Awake! Approach the great and learn.Like the sharp edge of a razor is that path, so the wise say−hard to tread and difficult to cross.)
Sanjay's thoughts in Marathi on this audio file for listening around 8 minutes in Marathi.