The Law of Karma

The Hindu Doctrine of Karma(Cause and Effect) holds that on the death of a person,whatever character has been hammered out by the thoughts and deeds and repentences of the life that is closed, the same continues to attach itself as the initial start of character for the soul in the next journey. Karma is not fatalism. One`s evolution lies in his own hands and even death does not interfere with the progress of effort. The Law of Karma clearly lays down that death does not end the chain. In whichever activities we engage ourselves, the body is not the agent but is only an instrument for activities. The agent is the soul that dwells in the body, and it does not die when death takes place physically. According to Hindu Scriptures, it takes a lodging in another tenement. The spirit or soul within continually shapes itself and builds its future accordingly. The Law of Cause and Effect is unalterable in every aspect. Every act has its appointed effect whether the act be a thought, word or deed. The effect lies inherent in the cause in the same manner as the tree lies potentially encased in the seed. If water contained in a tray is exposed to the Sun, it can not escape from getting dried up. The effect automatically follows. It can be said that the effect is held in the womb of the cause. To my mind, it is wrong to think of Karma in terms of what is understood by Fatalism.

Destiny according to the Hindu thought does not involve an unscientific attitude towards natural laws(Dharma) or a break-down of faith in human effort. Karma,as stated above is the unalterable law of effect following previous cause. To this extent Vedanta of Hinduism distinguishes itself from Fatalism as emerged in the West. When a Hindu speaks about the decree of fate, he means thereby that one should expect only the fruit of one`s action and nothing else.

Vedanta holds that it is not possible to do a thing and escape its result. The thoughts entertained, the words spoken and deeds done all produce appropriate fruits. The consequence may be dealt with , either in this or in another birth, but can not be escaped. When a Vedantin says that everything happens according to Karma, he does not mean that human effort is in vain. Law of Karma does not discourage industry and effort on the part of humans. They will have their rewards and the Law of Karma guarantees this. Karma does not refer to any mysterious predetermination by an external power. Thus Karma is not fatalism, as wrongly understood by some.

The law of Karma is related to past, present and future births of an entity. We all are products of or effects of our past actions. we evolve our self exactly according to our Karma(actions). This process is not broken by death and is passed on to next life. This is one of the Most Important Doctrines in the Hindu Religion.In the Spiritual world, Karma is the Rule of the Law, so to say. Cause and effect have to be equal.. Death denotes only the disintegration of the body and not of the soul. As far as the soul is concerned, the law of cause and effect continues to operate beyond death. The old account is carried over.