Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
(640)
Just as the yogic perspective on the origin of the universe cannot be definitively stated and is considered to be beginningless, similarly, the relationship between karma and the soul is also established as beginningless.
“Which came first, the soul or karma? – Both are beginningless. If the soul came first, then there would need to be a reason for it to become entangled with the pure substance. If you say karma came first, then who performed karma without the soul? By this logic, both are beginningless.” - Shrimad Rajchandra’s Shri Moksha Mala.
This beginningless karma is unique – it is of many types, and it is divided into material and mental aspects. Material karma is in the form of pudgala particles, and mental karma is in the form of the soul’s results. Attachment, aversion, and delusion are the impure results of the soul, and these are mental karma. The eight karmas, such as knowledge obscuration, are material karma. The general understanding of these eight karmas is as follows:
Knowledge obscuration is the covering of the soul’s infinite power related to knowledge. Perception obscuration is the covering of the soul’s infinite power of perception. Vedaniya karma is the two types of vedaniya karma, pleasant and unpleasant, caused by the body, which obstruct the soul’s power of uninterrupted happiness. Mehniya karma is the obstruction of the soul’s power of self-conduct. Ayu karma is the obstruction of the soul’s power of indestructible existence. Nama karma is the obstruction of the soul’s power of formless divine qualities. Gotra karma is the obstruction of the soul’s power of unwavering awareness. Antaray karma is the obstruction of the soul’s infinite power of giving, receiving, effort, gathering, and consumption.”
– Shri Moksha Mala, page 102.
These eight fundamental types of karma have further numerous subdivisions. And there are four types of bondage of karma: nature bondage, state bondage, taste bondage, and region bondage. State bondage and taste bondage are caused by passions, and nature bondage and region bondage are caused by the actions of the mind, speech, and body. The bondage, arising, manifestation, power, karma-severance, destructive, and non-destructive aspects of these karmas, and many other subtle aspects, are worthy of understanding by the seeker of truth through the great scriptures like Karma Granth, Panchaadhyayee, Gomsar, etc.
Padma Prabhu Jin! You and I, what is the difference, O Lord? Karma’s results are the reason, some say, wise Padma, a particle from a region, the root has many subdivisions; destructive, non-destructive, bondage, arising, manifestation, power, karma-severance… Padma” – Shri Anandghanji. x" योग्यतामन्तरेणास्य संयोगोऽपि न युज्यते।
That is the truth, my friend, like the waves of the ocean.” – Shri Yogakhindhu Play, 10.