In Hindu philosophy, the concept of karma refers to the law of cause and effect, where every action has consequences that affect an individual’s future experiences and circumstances. There are several types of karma described in Hindu scriptures, each representing different aspects of actions and their effects. Here are some of the main types of karma:
- Sanchita Karma: Sanchita karma refers to the accumulated karma from all past lifetimes that has not yet been resolved or experienced. It represents the total sum of an individual’s actions, both good and bad, stored in the karmic account. Sanchita karma influences the circumstances and events that unfold in the current lifetime.
- Prarabdha Karma: Prarabdha karma is the subset of Sanchita karma that has ripened and manifested as the current life’s circumstances and experiences. It represents the destiny or fate that an individual is born into, including factors such as birthplace, family, health, and socio-economic status. Prarabdha karma determines the life lessons and challenges that an individual must face in the present incarnation.
- Kriyamana Karma: Kriyamana karma, also known as Agami karma or current karma, refers to the actions performed in the present lifetime and their immediate effects. It includes both intentional actions (karma) and unintentional actions (akarma) and influences the future consequences that an individual will experience in subsequent lifetimes.
- Prayaschitta Karma: Prayaschitta karma refers to the rituals, penances, or atonements performed to mitigate the negative effects of past actions and purify the soul. It involves acts of repentance, forgiveness, and self-correction aimed at balancing karma and promoting spiritual growth and liberation (moksha).
- Karma Yoga: Karma yoga is the path of selfless action and service described in the Bhagavad Gita, where individuals perform their duties and responsibilities without attachment to the fruits of their actions. By dedicating their actions to a higher purpose and surrendering the results to the divine, practitioners of karma yoga transcend the bondage of karma and attain spiritual liberation.
- Vikarma: Vikarma refers to actions that are contrary to dharma (righteousness) and result in negative consequences or bad karma. It includes sinful or immoral actions that lead to suffering and spiritual ignorance. Avoiding vikarma and adhering to dharma is essential for cultivating positive karma and spiritual evolution.
These are some of the main types of karma described in Hindu philosophy, each playing a crucial role in shaping an individual’s destiny, character, and spiritual journey. By understanding the principles of karma and living a virtuous life, individuals can overcome the cycle of birth and death and attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).
