*** Karma (Action)***
Main philosophical subject matter of the Bhagavad-gita is the explanation of five basic concepts or truths:
karma , kárma or kárman ( Sanskrit : कर्म, "act, action, performance") — is a noun-form
coming from the root kri meaning "to do," "to make." Literally karma means "doing,"
"making," action. Karma is pronounced as " karmuh," the " uh" being subtle. Karma can
best be translated into English by the word consequence. It corresponds to the "action"
or "deed" which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e., the cycle called
saṃsāra ). It applies to all levels of action, including thought, word, feeling and deed, and
the effects of it.
Karma refers to (1) any act or deed; (2) the principle of cause and effect; (3) a
consequence or karmaphala ("fruit of action") or uttaraphala ("after effect"), which
sooner or later returns upon the doer. What we sow, we shall reap in this or future
lives. Selfish, hateful acts ( papakarma or kukarma ) will bring suffering. Benevolent
actions (punyakarma or sukarma) will bring loving reactions. Karma is a neutral, self-
perpetuating law of the inner cosmos, much as gravity is an impersonal law of the outer
cosmos. In fact, it has been said that gravity is a small, external expression of the
greater law of karma . The impelling, unseen power of one's past actions is called
adrishta .
karma , kárma or kárman ( Sanskrit : कर्म, "act, action, performance") — is a noun-form
coming from the root kri meaning "to do," "to make." Literally karma means "doing,"
"making," action. Karma is pronounced as " karmuh," the " uh" being subtle. Karma can
best be translated into English by the word consequence. It corresponds to the "action"
or "deed" which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e., the cycle called
saṃsāra ). It applies to all levels of action, including thought, word, feeling and deed, and
the effects of it.
Karma refers to (1) any act or deed; (2) the principle of cause and effect; (3) a
consequence or karmaphala ("fruit of action") or uttaraphala ("after effect"), which
sooner or later returns upon the doer. What we sow, we shall reap in this or future
lives. Selfish, hateful acts ( papakarma or kukarma ) will bring suffering. Benevolent
actions (punyakarma or sukarma) will bring loving reactions. Karma is a neutral, self-
perpetuating law of the inner cosmos, much as gravity is an impersonal law of the outer
cosmos. In fact, it has been said that gravity is a small, external expression of the
greater law of karma . The impelling, unseen power of one's past actions is called
adrishta .