Theory of Karman in Indian Thought

Author(s): Koshelya Walli
Publisher: Bharat Manisha

Page 95

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and is identical with Parama Śiva in every way though it does not function like the latter.
MATANGAPARAMEŚVARA ON KARMA . In the Mātangaparameśvara, there is an interesting account of the doctrine of Karma under the names of Dharma and Adharma. It is observed that a Karma which is a source of pleasure in the doer is called dharma and the Karma which produces a sense of pain in the agent is called Adharma. These are two different aspects of dharma. This Karma functions under the influence of vāsanā and produces a result in the form of an experience of pleasure and pain which is called Bhoga corresponding to that Karma. It is said that it is only the Paśu soul which is affected by Karma. The Matanga says that people who oppress others are thrown into hell where they suffer intense pains but when the Karmas become exhausted through Bhoga, these people are released from hells and are reborn in the world of animals. Later on, in due course of time, they are born in the family of men, but ignorance and scepticism persist. It is said that people become reptiles due to the maturity of the evil Karma. In this way, the Tantra points out that on account of the different values of an evil nature, people take birth as different animals. The different births are really the results of the different kinds of Karmas; Mátanga says that happiness, sorrow, life, and death are due to Karma, none is able to avoid that.I
Parameśvara Śiva says in this connection that it is ultimately under the will of the Divine that man is made to perform good or bad deeds, of course subject to his Prāktana Karma. Different Karmas lead to different experience in different forms of life. Some details also are given. He delivers in this connection a discourse on the varieties of Karma and the way as well as the manner in which - the experience of pleasure and pain takes place. In this connection, the verses 37 to 50 of the Dharmādharma-patala of the Āgamas 1. Mātanga-ha 2107991T:CHATU
कर्माशयवशात्प्राप्त कस्तं शक्नोति वारितुम् ॥ ३५ ॥ 6