In Hinduism, karma is a fundamental concept that describes a system of actions and reactions throughout a souls reincarnated lives, forming a cycle of rebirth. The word "karma" itself means "action" in Sanskrit. Here are the key aspects of karma in Hinduism:
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Cause and effect: Karma is a cycle of cause and effect, where each action a person takes will affect them at some time in the future. This rule applies not only to a person's physical actions but also to their thoughts, words, and the actions of others under their instructions.
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Reincarnation: Karma is closely tied to the concept of reincarnation or rebirth, in which a person is born in a new human or non-human form based on their past actions. The accumulated reactions to activities, both good and bad, are stored as "good karma" and "bad karma," which gradually unfold to determine a person's unique destiny.
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Types of actions: The Bhagavad-gita categorizes karma into three types of human actions: (1) Karma, those which elevate, (2) Vikarma, those which degrade, and (3) Akarma, those which create neither good nor bad reactions and lead to liberation.
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Responsibility and consequences: Karma holds individuals responsible for their actions and effects. Good actions and intentions lead to positive rewards, while bad actions and intentions result in suffering and pain.
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Performance of karmas: All karmas can be performed in two ways: nishkãm karma, actions performed without any expectation of material gain, ego, or material desires, and sakãm karma, actions performed with an expectation of material desire or purpose. The ideal is to perform one's karmas without the expectation of material gain, as taught by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
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Duties, rites, and rituals: In the traditional view of Hinduism, karma is not only individual actions but also a body of obligatory duties, rites, and rituals that individuals are expected to perform as part of their social and spiritual responsibilities.
