करुणा
Karuṇā
kah-ROO-nah
Level 2Etymology
Root: From Sanskrit root √kṛ (to do, to act) with uṇādi suffix -uṇa, forming karuṇa (compassionate). The feminine noun karuṇā denotes the active quality of compassion — literally 'that which compels one to act' on behalf of the suffering.
Literal meaning: Compassion; the trembling or melting of the heart in response to another's suffering, accompanied by the impulse to alleviate it
Definition
Karuṇā is deep compassion that arises naturally when witnessing the pain or distress of another being. Unlike mere pity, it includes an active desire and willingness to help relieve that suffering. In daily life, it manifests as empathetic action toward those in need.
Karuṇā is one of the four Brahmavihāras (sublime attitudes) prescribed by Patañjali in Yoga Sūtra 1.33 as a means to purify the mind. It is the spontaneous response of a refined citta (consciousness) that recognizes shared vulnerability in all beings. Through its cultivation, the practitioner dissolves the illusion of separateness and moves toward inner stillness.
At the highest level, Karuṇā is the natural, unconditional overflow of the Ātman's innate fullness. It is not a sentiment produced by effort but the very nature of pure awareness when it encounters limitation. In Advaita, true compassion arises from the direct knowledge that the suffering being is none other than one's own Self appearing in a different form.
Appears In
Common Misconception
Karuṇā is often confused with pity (kṛpā in its weaker sense) or sentimental sadness. True karuṇā is not a helpless emotional reaction that diminishes the observer; it is a courageous, dignified response rooted in strength and spiritual clarity that empowers both the giver and the receiver.
Modern Application
Karuṇā offers a powerful framework for modern life beyond simple empathy. While empathy can lead to burnout through emotional absorption, karuṇā combines deep feeling with wise action — what psychologists now call 'compassionate resilience.' It applies directly to healthcare, leadership, and social justice work where sustained engagement with suffering is required. Practicing karuṇā means responding to others' pain without losing one's center, taking concrete steps to help while maintaining inner equilibrium. In an age of compassion fatigue and digital detachment, the yogic cultivation of karuṇā through meditation and mindful service provides a sustainable path to meaningful human connection.
Quick Quiz
In Yoga Sūtra 1.33, Patañjali prescribes karuṇā as the correct attitude toward which type of person?