Law of Karma

SR No.: 007009
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nirmala Jha
Publisher: Capital Pubishing House Delhi
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 168
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

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Law of Karma
past. Human growth is an ordered one and its orderliness is governed by the Law of Karma.
Karma literally means action, deed. All acts produce their effects, which are recorded both in the organism and the environment. Their physical effects may be short-lived but their moral effects (Saṁskara) are worked into the character of the self. Every single thought and deed enter into the chain of causes which makes us what we are. In other words, an action brings effects on the organism. Its effects on the organism are retained as saskaras or tendencies of thought, which form the character of the soul. Good actions, thoughts produce good character, and evil actions result in evil character. Dr. Radhakrishnan says: “Human life is an organic whole where each successive phase grows out of what has gone before. We are what we are on account of our affinity with the past."31 The growth of the character of an individual self depends on the Law of Karma. Our life is not at the mercy of blind chance. The Christian Scriptures refer to it. "Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sowth, that shall he also reap,"32
The Law of Karma recognises the rule not only in outward nature, but also in the world of mind and morals. We are making our characters and shaping our destinies every moment. “There is no loss of any activity which we commence, nor is there any obstacle to its fulfilment. Even a little good that we may do will protect us against great odds."'83
Karma is not a mechanical principle but a spiritual necessity. It is the embodiment of life and will of God. God is called its supervisor. God is an impartial judge. All acts and thoughts are weighed in the universal balance of justice. The day of judgement is not in some remote future, but here and now and none can escape it. Divine laws cannot be evaded. We have to carry with us the whole of our past deeds.
Dr. Radhakrishnan tells us that there is room for repentance and forgiveness in this scheme. The principle of Karma reckons with the material or the context in which each indivi.