T Ram Sewak

KARMA VAAD

Lakshman commences his discourse imbued with the nectar of wisdom (gyan), dispassion (vairagya) and devotion (bhakti) in Shri Ramcharitmanas 2.92,

"kahu na kou sukh dukh kar data, nij krit karam bhog sab bhrata"

"No one is a source of delight (sukh) or pain (dukh); everyone reaps the fruit of one's actions..."

Lakshman dispels Nishadraj's vishaad (sorrow) and delusion with a chaupai (quatrain) that encapsulates the essence of the doctrine of karma (karma vaad). He emphasizes that the source of sukh or dukh in this world is not the people, objects, time, or place (the four elements of what we call circumstances) but our karma ((re)actions). Therefore, whether we become ecstatic or sorrowful depends entirely upon us and our karma.

While we have no control over any element of the paristhiti (circumstances), we do control our manasthiti (state of mind/ attitude) through our karma, and manasthiti determines whether we are happy or sad. This constant realization and understanding of karma vaad shall help us prevent attachment (raag) to any person or object, etc., or any aversion (dwesh) for them and also achieve equanimity of mind. Then, as Shri Krishna asserts in Gita 2.38, we shall be able to do our karma (work/action) by treating sukh or dukh alike. Shri Ram displays this transcendence, calmness, and equanimity of mind. HE is neither ecstatic when informed of HIS coronation as Yuvraj nor sorrowful when banished to exile.

Another perspective of karma vaad is that sukh or dukh results from the blend of the three types of our karma viz; Sanchitta ( accumulated karma from the past), Prarabdha (the portion of Sanchitta responsible for the present) and Agami (karma we perform now for the future). Therefore, we must follow the dictum of Shri Krishna in Gita 4.18, i.e. reject inaction, avoid forbidden actions and pursue the constructive and creative sattvic karma (good deeds) that bring happiness. / DAILY WORLD /

Namami Ramam Musings-58

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com