Law of Karma
We have been learning about Dharma (Virtues) listed in Gita 13.7+ such as Truth, Non-Violence and Humility. However, Dharma must manifest in our Karma (actions). Dharma & Karma are a pair. For example, just learning about being humble in a class, doesn't necessarily mean you behave humbly! Therefore, we must act (Physical, Verbal, Mental Karma) on these values for them to have any benefit for us. But when we act, the Shastra (Veda, Gita, etc.) teaches us there is a greater 'law of action' operating. Understanding this law is very useful, to help us act effectively and explain certain things in life…
The Law of Karma. Every cause has an effect. This is lesson 1 in Physics and Vedanta! The Law of Karma taught in Veda describes this chain of cause effect. The main principles to understand, in rough sequence, are as follows: (1) Doer/Free Will/Karta performs an action, (2) Action/Karma – Physical, verbal, mental, (3) Effect of Action/Karma Phala produced. 2 effects: (a) Seen Effect/drsta phala, (b) Unseen Effect /adrsta phala. 2 types of unseen effect: (i) Punya (ii) Papa, (4) Punya manifests later as Pleasant Experiences AND Papa manifests as Unpleasant Experiences. Punya is something we want – in english we call it 'luck'. "He won the lottery, he was lucky". Well not according to Vedanta – it wasn't random luck, it was earned Punya. The law of karma is like a giant mathematical equation that has to balance out across the whole universe. Punya It gives you whatever you want in life – health, wealth, fame, spiritual wisdom, pleasures, winning the lottery. So what Karma you do produces Punya? Karma in keeping with Dharma. So this is another reason for you to follow Dharma. But adharma produces Papa which manifests as painful experiences. This is what the Veda teaches and logic supports.
That's it! Lesson over. Well, not exactly….there's a lot more to it but you need to come to class to hear definitions of 1,2,3,4 and how they are all connected. It's a little complex to explain in an email as it’s such a vast topic requiring a very through explanation. The law of Karma inevitably brings in many other unavoidable and fascinating questions such as: is there a free will? Is there rebirth? Where did these laws come from? Is there a 'God' overseeing this ? How can we prove the existence of an unseen (adrsta) entity if we can't see it? What's the evidence? Epistemology (nature of proof itself)? What is the Veda & what authority does it have (Epistemology) to even say this? Is it all just a 'belief'? Belief vs Knowledge? We will be discussing all these topics going forwards gradually. Vedanta beautifully answers all the above questions with ease! The logical rigour of these answers makes the unfoldment of the above topics watertight- hence Veda itself actively encourages students to question in order to appreciate how water tight it really is (Sthuna-nikanana-nyaya) !
