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If false identification with the body ceases, you are no longer Karta of Karma, nor do you have to bear the consequences; that is the essence of religion. (115)
Explanation & Discussion:
As stated earlier, the identification of soul with the body is the root cause of acquiring Karma. That false identification generates the sense of 'I', 'Me', and 'Mine' with different worldly connections and situations. The activities undertaken with that false identification therefore induce the Karma particles to penetrate the provinces of soul and stay there till maturity.
That situation would change when the soul realizes its true nature. Then it would automatically come out of the false identification. Worldly activities will take place thereafter as long as the embodiment continues. But the soul would not feel attachment for any of them. It would remain an indifferent spectator of whatever happens. It would not indulge in craving or aversion for any situation that may arise from time to time. Thereby it ceases to be Kartä (Actuator) of Karma and hence would not have to bear the consequences.
It is easy to understand that since such a soul does not acquire new Karma, it does not have to bear new consequences. But the question would arise about earlier Karmas that might still remain in balance. How can any soul be absolved from bearing the consequences of old Karmas? Does the inexorable law of Karma cease to operate in that case?
The law does continue to operate, but it should be remembered that the consequences of Karma are always extended to the body, not to the soul. It is only false identification that leads the soul to identify itself with the body and to feel that it undergoes the said consequences. When such identification falls off, the soul perceives and knows what happens to the body, but stays free from the pain or pleasure associated with it. It merely remains an indifferent observer. As such, it is said that the liberated soul does not bear the consequences.
There is also the possibility of mass scale destruction of the extant Karmas. As a huge stack of cotton can be burnt to ashes with a little spark, most of the Karmas are extinguished with the spark of
