कर्म
karma
KAR-mah (the 'r' is a soft, slightly rolled retroflex; rhymes with 'dharma')
Level 1Etymology
Root: From the Sanskrit root √kṛ (कृ) meaning 'to do, to make, to act,' with the suffix -man forming a neuter noun. Cognate with the Latin 'creo' (to create) and Old English 'cræft' (craft, skill).
Literal meaning: Action, deed, or work — referring to any volitional act of body, speech, or mind, and by extension, the causal chain that such action sets into motion.
Definition
Karma is the universal principle that every action produces a corresponding result. Good actions (puṇya) yield favorable outcomes, while harmful actions (pāpa) yield suffering. In daily life, karma governs the ethical consequences of one's choices, shaping present circumstances and future experiences.
Karma is the mechanism through which the jīva (individual soul) accumulates impressions (saṃskāras) that bind it to the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra). The three forms — sañcita (accumulated), prārabdha (currently manifesting), and kriyamāṇa (being created now) — together constitute the soul's karmic account, which must be resolved for liberation.
From the absolute standpoint, karma is the inherent creative dynamism of consciousness appearing as cause and effect within māyā. The Self (Ātman), being eternally actionless and unbound, neither performs karma nor is affected by it. Realization of this truth is itself the cessation of karma's binding power.
Appears In
Common Misconception
Karma is often misunderstood as fatalistic predestination or cosmic punishment — 'you deserve what happens to you.' In actuality, karma is an empowering doctrine of moral agency: while past actions shape present conditions (prārabdha), one always retains the freedom to act wisely now (kriyamāṇa). The Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes that skillful, selfless action (niṣkāma karma) can dissolve karmic bondage rather than increase it.
Modern Application
Karma provides a powerful framework for personal accountability and intentional living. In modern life, it reminds us that our choices — in relationships, work, consumption, and speech — have consequences that extend beyond the immediate moment. Rather than encouraging passivity, karma motivates conscious action: every decision is an opportunity to shape one's future. This principle resonates with psychology's understanding of habit formation, where repeated actions create deeply ingrained patterns. Karma also encourages ethical leadership, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility by affirming that no action exists in isolation — every deed ripples outward, affecting the collective well-being of society.
Related Terms
Quick Quiz
Which of the three types of karma refers to the portion currently bearing fruit in this lifetime?