Definition
Karma is the universal law of moral causation — every action (physical, verbal, or mental) creates consequences that shape future experience. Karma is not fate or determinism but a natural law, like gravity: actions produce results. There are three types: sanchita (accumulated karma from all past lives), prarabdha (the portion currently being experienced in this life), and agami (karma being created now). Karma binds the soul to samsara — but karma performed without attachment to results (nishkama karma) becomes a path to liberation. The Gita teaches: "You have a right to action alone, never to its fruits" (2.47). Karma is the mechanism that connects the jīva across lifetimes — the moral law that ensures justice in the cosmic order.
Etymology
From the root kṛ (कृ), "to do, make, perform." Karma means "action, deed, work" — any physical, verbal, or mental activity.
Key Texts
Related Verses
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन
karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana
You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but never to the fruits of action.
Bhagavad Gita 2.47कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः
karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṃ boddhavyaṃ ca vikarmaṇaḥ
The nature of action is difficult to understand. One must discern what action is, what wrong action is, and what inaction is.
Bhagavad Gita 4.17गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते
guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate
The gunas act on the gunas — knowing this, one does not become attached. This is the key to karma yoga.
Bhagavad Gita 3.28Interpretations Across Traditions
Advaita Vedanta
Karma operates within the realm of maya. It can purify the mind (karma yoga) but cannot directly produce liberation — only jnana can. Karma is beginningless but ends with jnana.
Mimamsa
Karma (ritual action) is the primary means of achieving heaven and spiritual merit. The performance of Vedic rituals (yajna) automatically produces results — the ritual is inherently efficacious.
Buddhism
Karma is intention (cetana). The law of karma operates without a permanent self — it is the stream of cause and effect that continues across lives. Liberation (nirvana) is the cessation of karma.
Jainism
Karma is a subtle form of matter (dravya) that sticks to the soul (jiva) due to actions. Liberation requires complete cessation of karma through asceticism and non-violence (ahimsa).