KRIYAMAN AND PRARABDHA KARMA

Karma is a central concept in many Eastern philosophies and religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. In Hinduism, karma is understood as the law of cause and effect, which states that every action has a consequence. According to Hinduism, karma can be divided into two types: Kriyaman and Prarabdha.

Kriyaman karma refers to the actions that an individual performs in the present moment. These actions are considered to be the result of the free will of an individual. According to Hinduism, every person is free to make choices and take actions based on their own volition. These actions have consequences that are determined by the nature of the actions and the intentions behind them.

Prarabdha karma, on the other hand, refers to the actions that an individual has already performed in the past and the consequences that have resulted from those actions. In other words, Prarabdha karma is the accumulated karma from previous lives that an individual brings into the present life. This accumulated karma is believed to shape the individual’s present circumstances and the events that unfold in their life.

To understand the concept of Kriyaman and Prarabdha karma, it is important to understand the concept of rebirth in Hinduism. Hinduism believes in the cycle of birth and death, and that the soul is immortal and continues to be reborn until it achieves liberation (Moksha). This cycle of birth and death is driven by the accumulation of karma. According to Hinduism, every action that an individual performs leaves an impression on the soul, which accumulates over time and determines the circumstances of the next birth.

Kriyaman karma can be understood as the actions that an individual performs in the present life. These actions can be positive or negative and have consequences that are determined by the nature of the actions and the intentions behind them. Positive actions, such as performing good deeds or helping others, are believed to generate positive karma. Negative actions, such as harming others or engaging in selfish behavior, are believed to generate negative karma. The consequences of these actions may not be immediate, but they are believed to shape the individual’s future circumstances.

Prarabdha karma, on the other hand, refers to the accumulated karma from past lives. This accumulated karma is believed to shape the individual’s present circumstances, including their physical and mental attributes, their family and social environment, and the events that unfold in their life. According to Hinduism, the circumstances of an individual’s life are determined by their Prarabdha karma, which cannot be changed. However, an individual can still perform Kriyaman karma and accumulate positive karma, which can influence their future rebirths.

It is important to note that Hinduism does not believe in fatalism or predestination. While the circumstances of an individual’s life are determined by their Prarabdha karma, they still have the ability to make choices and take actions in the present moment, which can influence their future karma. Therefore, an individual has the ability to shape their own destiny by performing positive actions and accumulating positive karma.

In Hinduism, the ultimate goal is to achieve liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death. This can be achieved by performing good deeds, accumulating positive karma, and ultimately realizing the true nature of the self. The ultimate goal of Hinduism is to achieve a state of consciousness that is beyond the limitations of the body and mind, and to merge with the divine.

In conclusion, Kriyaman and Prarabdha karma are two types of karma that are central to the concept of cause and effect in Hinduism. Kriyaman karma refers to the actions that an individual performs in the present moment, while Prarabdha karma is the actions that an individual performed in the past.