Impact of Karma

Q. What is moksha?

A. Moksha is liberation from all that binds. That is to say it is the attainment of the ever-existing, ever-stable, ever-pure atma-tatwa [soul principle] and getting rid of the ever-changing, ever -unreal, impure deha-tatwa[body principle].

Q. That attainment is not for all, is it, Swami?

A. Why do you say so? Every one who equips himself can attain it [liberation]. Those who make the effort are attaining it. Every one who is ill is entitled to the medicine; you cannot say that only some among them are [entitled]. Yet, if the drug is costly, only those who can afford it can benefit by it. The Lord’s grace is hard to get, you have to pay a heavy price. Pay the price and earn it by sadhana [spiritual effort], and the grace of the Lord will save you from this disease of worldliness.

Q. Who are the ones that need this sadhana most?

A. All who yearn to be saved from the flood of “birth death” that is now sweeping them along.

Q. Baba! What is the cause of man getting born?

A. The impact of karma.

Q. How many varieties of karma are there?

A. Three! Bad, good, and mixed; some add a fourth, the karma of the jnani [wise person] which is neither good nor bad.

Q. What is bad karma?

A. It is called dush-karma. All acts done without the fear of God or of falling into sin; all acts done while under the influence of the six enemies, kama[desires], krodha [anger], lobha[greed], moha[attachment], mada[pride],andmatsarya[envy]; all acts that reveal the beast in man, that do not indicate that he is possessed of viveka[discrimination], vichakshana [reason],andvairagya[detachment]; that are devoid of daya[compassion], dharma[righteous action], satya[truth], shanti[peace],andpremalove—these are dush-karmas.

Q. And the sat-karmas?

A. All acts done in the fear of God and of sin; all acts done with sathya, dharma, shanti, andprema; these are the sat-karmas.

Q. What are the mixed ones?

A. They are an interesting lot. Though the acts are good, though apparently they are prompted by fear of God and of sin, still they reveal impulses that are quite the opposite. People start rest houses and water-distributing centers, for example, but they do not pay the servants regularly and well. Their aim is just to win some fame. They give to the poor as alms only useless clothes and worn coins. Whatever they do, their purpose is to get publicity.

Q. You also spoke of jnana-karma, Swami.

A. Yes, jnana-karma is the name used for all acts done to learn from sacred scriptures or elders or teachers the way to escape from the bondage to duality and to the falsity of the world, and to develop faith in the values of sathya, dharma, shanti, andprema; all acts that lead to the merging of the individual in the Universal Absolute.

Q. Swami, it seems even those who proceed along the path of spiritual progress toward the goal of liberation have big obstacles.

A. Yes, the past, the present, and the future obstacles.

Q. What are they? What is the obstacle from the past?

A. Recollecting and remembering the past and getting affected by it.

Q. And the obstacle from the present?

A. They operate in four ways: Vishaya-ashakti (attending more to the peculiarities of textual criticism than to the sense of the teaching), prajnamandyam (dullness of the intellect that prevents one from grasping the words of the elders and of the wise), kutarka (crookedness), and viparyaya-duragraha (justifying one’s own statement as correct, through an exaggerated conceit).

Q. What is the nature of the obstacle from the future?

A. The future creates obstacles since you anticipate troubles and worry about them even before they come.

Source: Prashnottara Vahini

Impact of Karma

Life moves through a chain of actions, thoughts, and intentions that quietly shape every experience. The Impact of Karma can be seen in the way people grow through kindness, patience, honesty, and compassion. Every deed leaves an impression on the heart and mind, creating energy that eventually returns to the individual. Ancient spiritual teachings explain that no action disappears without consequence. Whether positive or negative, every thought creates a pathway that influences future experiences. Understanding the Impact of Karma encourages people to live with awareness and responsibility.

Human beings often search for happiness in material success, yet true peace arises from purity of action. A person who helps others selflessly experiences inner joy that cannot be measured by wealth. Spiritual traditions teach that noble deeds create harmony within families, communities, and society. The Impact of Karma is not limited to one lifetime or one moment; it reflects a continuous journey of learning and transformation. Through prayer, meditation, and service, individuals begin to understand how their choices affect their destiny.

In spiritual culture, forgiveness and compassion are considered powerful ways to purify negative impressions. Anger, jealousy, and greed create unrest within the mind, while love and humility bring calmness. The Impact of Karma becomes visible when people observe how positive actions attract trust, friendship, and blessings. Even small acts of goodness can create meaningful change in another person’s life. A gentle word, a helping hand, or sincere encouragement can inspire hope and strengthen human connections.

Many saints and spiritual masters have explained that karma is not punishment but a lesson guiding the soul toward wisdom. Difficult experiences often teach patience, courage, and understanding. When people accept challenges with faith, they develop inner strength. The Impact of Karma helps individuals realize the importance of righteous living and mindful behavior. Every action becomes an opportunity to grow spiritually and move closer to truth.

Modern life is filled with distractions, making it easy to forget spiritual values. However, sacred teachings continue to remind humanity about the importance of moral living. Platforms like Devotional India inspire seekers by sharing spiritual wisdom, sacred stories, and teachings that encourage inner reflection. Through devotion and discipline, people can gradually transform their thoughts and actions. The Impact of Karma reminds humanity that every moment offers a chance to create positivity and light.

The law of karma also teaches patience. Sometimes good actions may not bring immediate rewards, but their influence continues quietly. Just as seeds take time to grow into strong trees, positive deeds slowly shape a better future. Faith allows individuals to continue doing good without expecting recognition. The Impact of Karma encourages selflessness because pure actions performed without selfish desire carry spiritual power.

Spiritual seekers often turn toward prayer, meditation, and service to purify the mind and heart. These practices help reduce negativity and awaken compassion. Devotional India shares messages that inspire people to follow the path of truth, kindness, and devotion. By practicing gratitude and humility, individuals create peace within themselves and spread positivity around them. The Impact of Karma ultimately teaches that every action matters and every thought carries energy.

A life guided by honesty, love, and faith becomes a source of inspiration for others. Positive karma uplifts not only the individual but also society as a whole. Through spiritual awareness and righteous action, humanity can move toward harmony and unity. Devotional India continues to encourage seekers to embrace spiritual wisdom and cultivate noble values in daily life. The Impact of Karma serves as a timeless reminder that goodness, compassion, and truth always create lasting spiritual blessings.

-Impact of Karma