What Is Karma?

Karma, derived from the Sanskrit root kri (to act or do), literally means action. Hinduism’s and Buddhism’s teachings explain that karma functions as the universal law of cause and effect, 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 effects 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 view karma as the cumulative consequences of actions, Buddhism seems to emphasize that the ethical weight of karma  — wholesome karma leads to happiness, unwholesome karma 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. Does this mean our thoughts could also result in karma? Perhaps it depends on how much attention we give those thoughts. 

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.

According to Yogic philosophy, karma is divided into at least four types. Sanchita karma (karmic seeds) is accumulated karma. 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 an entity’s 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. Our research suggests that this type of karma is unavoidable since it has already begun to sprout. Agami karma is the future karma that results from our current choices and actions while in our current life. And kriyamana karma (vartamana) is the immediate consequence generated by our actions in the present moment.