kim karma kim akarmeti kavayo patramohita - Even the wise are deluded as to what is to be done or not done.
The word karma has now become universal and is found in the English dictionary and even in newspapers. We will look the different types of karma and try to understand them by contemplation and meditation to help us live a better life of right action. There are certain things which we do daily. We brush our teeth, take a shower, do some prayer or meditation, do some exercises- all these actions which are done daily are called the nitya karma.
Then we have what is called as the naimittika karma. Naimittika comes from the word nimitta. Special functions and activities come under this category. A friend is visiting and we take special care of his food and this is naimittika karma. In Vedic times a guest was considered as God. In the Taittiriya Upanishad it is said matru devobhava- mother is God, pitru devo bhava- Father is god, acharya devo bhava- the teacher is god and atithi devo bhava- the guest is God. Special occasions like festivals when special worship or special celebrations are done are the naimittika karma.
Kamya karma is that which is done with a wish or desire. Some actions are done to fulfill or achieve a goal. Some one wants to have a child and does some special ritual for that. Observing a fast or praying for someone to get well would also come under this group. In my childhood I went on a hunger strike if I wanted something.
Some actions are forbidden by the scriptures and these are known as the nishiddha karma. We all know what is good and bad. Even a child when you take its hand towards a flame with draws and knows that it will burn. We know what acts are good and what are forbidden. But the human mind is so weak, we do things knowingly. We know that anger is not good but we become angry. As Gurudev said we are all conscious devils and educated fools. We are not able to give up what is wrong and do not have strength to do what is good.
Vikarma a word that is used in the Bhagavad Gita is another type of karma. The karma related to the vishayas or materialistic karma is known as vikarma. These acts are done out of greed, possessiveness and vanity. Prana karma is a function of the prana and is responsible for yawning, blinking, digestion and assimilation of food, circulation and evacuation. The inhalation and exhalation are going on continuously and the prana karma is functioning in these various activities. There are many pranas of which five are the major pranas. The yogi knows the different pranas and their functions and that every function is done by the life energy.
Vyashti karma is the karma done by an individual. Samishti karma is action done in a group together. When we all sing together or meditate together we are doing samishti or collective karma. When an action is done collectively it produces more energy and has a stronger effect. Within the samishti there can be vyashti. For example when you meditate in a group you are doing it collectively and also doing individually.
Bondage of karma
Day and night we all work and karma binds us. Raman Maharshi sang in his Upadesha Saram - kartrurajnaya prapyate phalam, karma kim param karma tajjadam - karma by itself is inert but it binds. How does karma bind? Suppose there is a rope. By it self the rope does not tie you. But if you hold on to the rope then you are bound. Gold does Action does not bind you, but if you want to have it around your neck as a chain it will bind. We hold on to karma and think that it binds us. The bondage is because of ego and the doer ship. It allows the karma to bind.
God is like the ocean. The creation is the waves. The ocean is vast and the waves are small. The waves are born in the lap of the ocean and merge in the ocean. The bubble is also made of the same water as the wave and the ocean but when I look at myself as a bubble with the air of ego in me, to think of the ocean is not easy.
If we can remember our identity with god the journey of life becomes easy. When we attend a satsang with like minded people singing the name of god and chanting together the collective energy helps. To get good company is not easy. It is said, Bin satsanga viveka na hoyi.
Life is a journey and remembering the goal helps. Vivekananda, then Naren as a school boy was invited to sing near Ramakarishna Paramahamsa who was visiting a house close to Naren's house. Naren sang - mana chalo nija niketane - O My mind. Go to your real home. This world is a foreign land. If you are tired and confused on the way seek the company of the good and be refreshed.
Jesus said, I have come to this world but I am not of this world. Gurudev said the world is the play of kick and kiss. It is a sugar coated bitter tablet. Surrender to god helps. In a strong current of a river in floods many things get washed away. Huge trees and sometimes even an elephant can be seen going down but the tiny fish in the water can swim upstream. Kabir said, ulti jal me machili chale. This is because of the total surrender of the fish to the water in which they are born and live and are never outside.
Jesus had that surrender and said, "If I am to drink from this cup let me drink." Vivekananda on his last day sang "I have packed up my bags. O Siva takes my boat across." Rama Krishna Paramahamsa once said if one can cry genuinely for god for three days and three nights one will be realized.