Class Summary
The class began with opening prayers, followed by a review of the Purusharthas, emphasizing the importance of good conduct, duty, and living responsibly. The acronym WATCH was introduced to highlight key principles: Words, Actions, Thoughts, Choices, and Heart (empathy and compassion).
The discussion then shifted to the concept of Karma, explained as "action" and its role in living a noble and righteous life. Using a metaphor from Gurudev Chinmayananda, the Jiva (individual soul) was compared to a droplet of water from the ocean that is untainted and falls as a drop off rain. As the droplet navigates the river of life, it accumulates karma.
Similarly the Jiva that comes from the parabrahman accumulates karma as a part of living life. The class explored the three main types of karma: Sanchita (accumulated over lifetimes), Prarabhdha (the karma that brings us into the current life), and Agami (the karma we are currently creating).
Sanchita Karma
Sanchita Karma refers to the accumulated karma of all our past actions, which have not yet manifested in our lives. This is the total sum of the karmic results we have accumulated over countless lifetimes. It can be thought of as a reservoir or storehouse of all past actions—good and bad—that have yet to bear fruit. This accumulated karma is like a seed bank, waiting for the right conditions to sprout.
From this accumulated storehouse of karma, some seeds will be activated based on the conditions of our present life. The good and bad actions from our past determine the circumstances and challenges we face today. Sanchita Karma is not directly experienced in the current life unless it has been activated by Prarabhdha or Agami karma. The key to understanding Sanchita Karma is that it influences our future by shaping the potential paths available to us, but its effects are not immediate.
Prarabhdha Karma
Prarabhdha Karma is the portion of Sanchita Karma that is activated and manifests in our current life. It is the karma that directly influences the circumstances we are born into, such as our family, environment, health, and certain life experiences. In simple terms, it is the "destiny" we inherit at the beginning of each life, based on the actions performed in past lifetimes.
This type of karma is often described as the "karma of the present moment" because it is what shapes our immediate reality. It is the reason we face certain joys and struggles, relationships, and events in our current life. While we cannot change the Prarabhdha Karma that has been set in motion for this life, we can influence how we respond to it through our actions and choices.
For example, if someone is born into a difficult situation or faces health challenges, it could be a result of Prarabhdha Karma. However, how that person chooses to respond—whether with patience, perseverance, or a positive mindset—shapes their future Agami Karma. In future classes, the focus will be on understanding how to transcend the limitations of Prarabhdha and transform our experience through spiritual practices and surrender.
Agami Karma
Agami Karma refers to the karma that is being created in the present moment through our current actions, choices, and intentions. It is the result of what we are doing right now—whether it is good, bad, or neutral. Agami Karma forms the foundation for the future. It is the most dynamic form of karma because it is created as we live and make decisions.
Every action we take, every word we speak, and every thought we entertain creates Agami Karma, which will ripen in future lives. If we engage in virtuous actions—such as helping others, being truthful, or practicing self-discipline—we accumulate positive Agami Karma, which will lead to positive outcomes in the future. Conversely, if we act selfishly, harm others, or make choices that are detrimental to our spiritual growth, we accumulate negative Agami Karma, which may lead to suffering or challenges in future lives.
Agami Karma gives us the power to shape our future. Unlike Prarabhdha Karma, which is largely the result of past actions and cannot be easily changed, Agami Karma is under our control and can be influenced by the way we live in the present. It highlights the importance of mindful living, making conscious decisions, and acting with a sense of responsibility, as the actions we take now will determine the trajectory of our future.
Nitya Karma and Naimittika Karma
In addition to the three primary types of karma (Sanchita, Prarabhdha, and Agami), the class also touched on the concepts of Nitya Karma and Naimittika Karma, which are important for understanding the full scope of human actions and their consequences.
Nitya Karma refers to daily, obligatory actions that are part of one's routine or spiritual practice. These are actions that must be performed regularly, such as prayers, rituals, and prescribed duties, without attachment to their results. The goal of Nitya Karma is to maintain spiritual discipline and progress while fostering harmony in life. These actions are performed without expectation of personal gain and are done purely out of devotion, with the intention of purifying the mind and aligning oneself with Dharma (righteousness).
Naimittika Karma refers to actions performed in response to specific circumstances or events. Unlike Nitya Karma, these are not obligatory but arise as a response to external situations or needs. For example, helping someone in distress, acting during an auspicious event, or taking action in a crisis are examples of Naimittika Karma. These actions are motivated by compassion, duty, and the need to restore balance in a given situation. Naimittika Karma is often spontaneous and situational, reflecting the dynamic nature of life.
Both Nitya and Naimittika karmas play an important role in shaping one's character, contributing to spiritual growth, and influencing the path to liberation. Understanding and performing these karmas in alignment with Dharma purifies the mind and accumulates positive karma. Future classes will explore how to resolve accumulated karma (including Prarabhdha) by surrendering all actions to Bhagavan and how performing Nitya and Naimittika karma with devotion can help in this process.
Story of Bhishma Pitamah
A story of Bhishma Pitamah was shared to illustrate the consequences of karma. While lying on the bed of arrows, Bhishma recalled his past 100 lives and questioned which karma led to his current suffering. Krishna revealed that in his 101st past life, Bhishma had caused the death of a wounded bird by tossing it into a thorny bush. This story emphasized how every action, no matter how small, has far-reaching consequences, illustrating that karma is not just about large actions but also includes the seemingly insignificant choices we make.
We will further explore these concepts in future lessons. We will discuss how to offer everything we do to the Lord to resolve our karmas. The key takeaway was that karma, in all its forms, shapes the course of our lives. While we cannot change the Prarabhdha Karma of our current life, we have the power to create Agami Karma through our present actions. By practicing good conduct, fulfilling our duties, and living a responsible life, we can purify our past karma and ensure a positive future.
