What Is Karma?

Karma Defined

Karma, derived from the Sanskrit root kri (to act or do), literally means action. Is karma real? Perhaps this depends on if one resonates with the concept that our actions have consequences. Hinduism and Buddhism explain that karma functions as the universal law of cause and effect that happens automatically and impartially — which material energy is responsible for (Bhagavad Gita, 13:21). The concept of reaping what you sow is also echoed in The Bible (Galatians, 6:7-9). This principle is further corroborated in The Kybalion’s principle of cause and effect (38-39). The principle of cause and effect explains that every cause has an effect, everything happens according to law, and causation operates across multiple planes of existence.

While both Hinduism and Buddhism relate karma (kamma) to the cumulative consequences of our actions, Buddhism seems to emphasize that the ethical weight of karma — wholesome actions lead to happiness, unwholesome actions leads to suffering — is determined by our level of intent, regret, reoccurrence, qualities of those harmed, and other conditions behind the action, rather than the action alone. This suggests that there are varying levels or degrees of karmic severity. For example, an accidental act, like hitting someone with a car, would not carry the same karmic weight as deliberately hitting someone.

Does this mean our thoughts could also result in karma or subsequent actions? Perhaps it depends on how much attention we give those thoughts. According to the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama), intention is karma (Anguttara Nikaya: 6.63) so does karma really begin in the mind? For example, a positive thought, even if not acted upon, could plant a positive karmic seed whereas a moment of malice intent, even if concealed, could plant a negative seed.

Sadhguru (Guru, Yogi & Mystic) explains that while karma means action, it’s also the residual impact of memory. Could karma also act as a feedback loop system and mirror of our actions? Perhaps karma correlates with Newton’s Third Law of Motion — every action has an equal and opposite reaction — and the Law of Attraction — like attracts like. This would be consistent with the Law of One (34.4) which defines karma as inertia — actions put into motion will continue until they’re balanced or stopped by forgiving ourselves and/or others. 

So perhaps the key is that the effect will often be similar to the cause. For example, killing shortens the lifespan of others, deprives others of their loved ones, and so forth. Ergo, if we kill we may be liable to experience those effects.

Four Types of Karma

According to Yogic teachings, karma is divided into at least four types. What are the 4 types of karma, also referred to as the laws of cosmic justice? Sanchita karma (karmic seeds) is accumulated karma or actions. It represents all of our thoughts, intentions, and actions from past lives, which are unmanifested, latent, unresolved, and waiting for the right conditions (time, place, desire) to bear fruit. This type of karma shapes our character and desires. As Sadhguru (Guru, Yogi & Mystic) explains, it’s the warehouse of karma. It’s said that we can burn up these karmic seeds through mind and energy system purification so they can never sprout.

Prarabdha karma is the portion of sanchita karma that’s currently active and must be experienced in the present life. It’s essentially the results of our actions. This karma determines our general circumstances for life planning. We say general because it’s thought that not everything one experiences is the fruit of their past actions. There are other natural laws that govern our experience — ergo, karma is but one strand in a tapestry of interdependent causality. Think of it this way. Prarabdha karma can be seen as an arrow already released from its bow — its course is already set. But, how we respond creates new karma or resulting actions. Our research suggests that this is the only type of karma that’s unavoidable since it has already begun to bear fruit. 

Agami karma is the future karma or results that will arrive based on our current thoughts, intentions, and actions while in our current life. It’s based on how we’re currently responding to situations, including our prarabdha karma. And kriyamana karma (vartamana) is our present actions. So while we may not always have control over what happens to us, we do have control over how we respond to situations, our kriyamana karma. Knowing this empowers us to take responsibility for our thoughts, intentions, and actions — shifting blame from gods, fate, and others to become conscious navigators instead of passive passengers. 

What happens when we clear all of our karma? Because karma is considered the fuel for the samsara cycle of life and death characterized by dukkha (suffering/stress) — clearing karma means being released from this cycle, which is referred to in Buddhism as nirvana. Whether or not we, specifically great masters, can take or bear karma for someone else is debatable. For example, it’s said that Jesus gave his blood as a remission of sins (The Bible: Matthew, 26:27). Could sins be synonymous to karma?