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=== Vaiseshika Darshana ===

=== Vaiseshika Darshana ===

Karma, is motion according to the Maharshi Kanada who gave us the [[Vaiseshika Darshana (वैशेषिकदर्शनम्)|Vaiseshika Darshana]]. But it is a deeper concept than mere physical displacement with respect to time.  <blockquote>एकद्रव्यमगुणं संयोगविभागेष्वनपेक्ष कारणमिति कर्मलक्षणम् । वैशेषिक-१,१.१७ ।  संयोगविभागवेगानां कर्म समानम् । वैशेषिक-१,१.२० । (Vais. Sutr. 1.1.17 and 20)<ref name=":1">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Vaiseshika Sutras] </ref> </blockquote>The characteristics of motion are   

Karma, is motion according to the Maharshi Kanada who gave us the [[Vaiseshika Darshana (वैशेषिकदर्शनम्)|Vaiseshika Darshana]]. But it is a deeper concept than mere physical displacement with respect to time.<ref name=":3">Prabhu, C. S. R. (2014) The Physics of Vaiseshika. Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara Vedic University (Pages 13-18)</ref> <blockquote>एकद्रव्यमगुणं संयोगविभागेष्वनपेक्ष कारणमिति कर्मलक्षणम् । वैशेषिक-१,१.१७ ।  संयोगविभागवेगानां कर्म समानम् । वैशेषिक-१,१.२० । (Vais. Sutr. 1.1.17 and 20)<ref name=":1">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Vaiseshika Sutras] </ref> </blockquote>The characteristics of motion are   

# एकद्रव्यम् । being dependent or pertinent to one single material entity (or substance)  

# एकद्रव्यम् । being dependent or pertinent to one single material entity (or substance)  

# संयोगविभागेष्वनपेक्ष कारण। independent cause (essential cause) for both conjunction and disjunction  

# संयोगविभागेष्वनपेक्ष कारण। independent cause (essential cause) for both conjunction and disjunction  

Motion is the common cause of conjunction, disjunction and speed.  

Motion is the common cause of conjunction, disjunction and speed. Another lakshana of Karma is as follows <blockquote>कर्म कर्मसाध्यं न विद्यते। (Vais. Sutr. 1.1.11)<ref name=":1" /> </blockquote>Motion does not exist (which) can be caused by (another) motion. 

Thus it the three characteristics of Karma or Activity can be summarized as  

One motion cannot be caused by another motion without the material entity (substance) and its qualities. Motion requires a cause such as some substance along with its gunas.<ref name=":3" />

# Activity depends on substance  

# By itself, Activity does not possess any guna. It is one of the two important features possessed by matter or substance.  

 

# It is said to be active when the substance moves from one position to another. In this process motion (Karma) is the common cause for any disjunction (Vibhaga or separation) of the substance (whole or part) from its previous position and conjunction (Samyoga or joining) with a new position. Motion is common cause of conjunction, disjunction and speed (or impetus) with which the substance moves.  

# Activity/Motion depends on substance

# By itself, Activity does not possess any guna. It is one of the two important features possessed by matter or substance.

# It is said to be active when the substance moves from one position to another. In this process motion (Karma) is the common cause for any disjunction (Vibhaga or separation) of the substance (whole or part) from its previous position and conjunction (Samyoga or joining) with a new position. Motion is common cause of conjunction, disjunction and speed (or impetus) with which the substance moves.

=== Vedanta Darshana ===

=== Vedanta Darshana ===

# आकुञ्चनम् ॥ Ākuñcana (Contraction or flexion): movement causing conjunction with a nearer spot

# आकुञ्चनम् ॥ Ākuñcana (Contraction or flexion): movement causing conjunction with a nearer spot

# प्रसारणम् ॥ Prasāraṇa (Expansion or extension): movement causing conjunction with a spot farther from the body

# प्रसारणम् ॥ Prasāraṇa (Expansion or extension): movement causing conjunction with a spot farther from the body

# गमनम् ॥ Gamana (Other general movements): movement in general with flexibility to permit any type of motion. As per Maharshi Kanada and Prashastapada, the following additional categories of movements universally observable are special types of motion.  

# गमनम् ॥ Gamana (Other general movements): movement in general with flexibility to permit any type of motion. As per Maharshi Kanada and Prashastapada, the following additional categories of movements universally observable are special types of motion.<ref name=":3" />

## Rotation or circular motion (भ्रमणम् - Bhramaṇa)

## Rotation or circular motion (भ्रमणम् - Bhramaṇa)

## Evacuation, gushing out or expulsion (रेचन - Recana)

## Evacuation, gushing out or expulsion (रेचन - Recana)

## Rising upward (उन्नमनम् - un-namana)

## Rising upward (उन्नमनम् - un-namana)

It is interesting that गमनम्। motion can mean, in general, just about any type of motion as mentioned above.  

It is interesting that गमनम्। motion can mean, in general, just about any type of motion as mentioned above.

=== Based on the Agent of Action ===

=== Based on the Agent of Action ===

=== Based on the Nature of Activity ===

=== Based on the Nature of Activity ===

Karma is again of two broad types based on whether it is general or dharmik (or spiritual) activities described in scriptural prescriptions.

Karma is again of many kinds apart from general activities and includes many  dharmik (or spiritual) rites or rituals described in scriptural texts.

# '''लौकिक-कर्म ॥ Laukika Karma''' - These include the daily activities such as walking, running, reading etc.

# '''लौकिक-कर्म ॥ Laukika Karma''' - These include the daily activities such as walking, running, reading etc.

#'''नित्य-कर्म ॥ Nitya Karma''' (Regular rituals) नित्यानि - अकरणे प्रत्यवाय सधानानी संध्यावन्दनादीनी । (Veda. Sara. 1.9)<ref name=":2">Swami Nikhilananda (1931) Vedantasara of Sadananda, With Introduction, Text, English Translation and Comments. Almora: Advaita Ashrama (Pages 5-7)</ref> Include the daily dharmik activities such as devata puja, [[Sandhyavandana (सन्ध्यावन्दनम्)|sandhyavandana]]. According to Mimamsakas these rituals are obligatory and therefore not performing them produces pratyavaya in the sense of harm or papa (पापम्) to those who are supposed to perform them. [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]] are included in this category. Nityakarma does not include daily duties, it also includes regular/periodic scheduled karmas such as Amavasya tarpana, and Grahana karmas.  Some '''nitya karmas''' include:

##'''नित्य-कर्म ॥ Nitya Karma''' (Regular rituals) नित्यानि - अकरणे प्रत्यवाय सधानानी संध्यावन्दनादीनी । (Veda. Sara. 1.9)<ref name=":2">Swami Nikhilananda (1931) Vedantasara of Sadananda, With Introduction, Text, English Translation and Comments. Almora: Advaita Ashrama (Pages 5-7)</ref> Include the daily dharmik activities such as devata puja, [[Sandhyavandana (सन्ध्यावन्दनम्)|sandhyavandana]]. According to Mimamsakas these rituals are obligatory and therefore not performing them produces pratyavaya in the sense of harm or papa (पापम्) to those who are supposed to perform them. [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]] are included in this category. Nityakarma does not include daily duties, it also includes regular/periodic scheduled karmas such as Amavasya tarpana, and Grahana karmas.  Some '''nitya karmas''' include:

#*Snana (bathing)

##*Snana (bathing)

#*[[Sandhyavandana (सन्ध्यावन्दनम्)|Sandhyavandana]]

##*[[Sandhyavandana (सन्ध्यावन्दनम्)|Sandhyavandana]]

#*[[Samidadhana (समिदाधानम्)|Samidadhana]]

##*[[Samidadhana (समिदाधानम्)|Samidadhana]]

#*Devata-archana

##*Devata-archana  

#*[[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]]

##*[[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]]

#*[[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]]

##*[[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]]

#'''नैमित्तिक-कर्म ॥ Naimittika Karma''' (Occasional rituals) नैमित्तिकानि - पुत्रजन्माद्यनुबन्धानि जातेष्टादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.10)<ref name=":2" /> Jaateshti (Ishti a kind of yajna) etc., performed subsequent to birth of a son are called Naimittika Karmas to be observed on special occasions. The performance of these is obligatory for a grhastha.

## '''नैमित्तिक-कर्म ॥ Naimittika Karma''' (Occasional rituals) नैमित्तिकानि - पुत्रजन्माद्यनुबन्धानि जातेष्टादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.10)<ref name=":2" /> Jaateshti (Ishti a kind of yajna) etc., performed subsequent to birth of a son are called Naimittika Karmas to be observed on special occasions. The performance of these is obligatory for a grhastha.

#'''काम्य-कर्म ॥ Kamya Karma''' (Intentional rituals) काम्यानि - स्वर्गादीष्टसाधनानि ज्योतिष्टोमादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.7)<ref name=":2" /> Yajnas such as Jyotishtoma etc., are perform to enable their performers to get the desired fruits such as living in heaven etc., are known as Kamya karmas. These ceremonies are performed with a definite motive or desire.

## '''काम्य-कर्म ॥ Kamya Karma''' (Intentional rituals) काम्यानि - स्वर्गादीष्टसाधनानि ज्योतिष्टोमादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.7)<ref name=":2" /> Yajnas such as Jyotishtoma etc., are perform to enable their performers to get the desired fruits such as living in heaven etc., are known as Kamya karmas. These ceremonies are performed with a definite motive or desire.

#'''प्रायश्चित्त-कर्म ॥ Prayaschitta Karma''' (expiatory rituals) प्रायश्चित्तानि - पापक्षयसाधनानि चान्द्रयाणादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.11)<ref name=":2" /> Rituals such as Chaandrayana vrata etc., which are instrumental in the expiation of papa (पापम्) are called Prayaschitta karmas.

## '''प्रायश्चित्त-कर्म ॥ Prayaschitta Karma''' (expiatory rituals) प्रायश्चित्तानि - पापक्षयसाधनानि चान्द्रयाणादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.11)<ref name=":2" /> Rituals such as Chaandrayana vrata etc., which are instrumental in the expiation of papa (पापम्) are called Prayaschitta karmas.  

#'''निषिद्ध-कर्म॥Nishiddha Karma''' (forbidden actions) निषिद्धनिषिद्धानि '''-''' नरकाद्यनिष्टसाधनानि ब्राह्मणहननादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.8)'''<ref name=":2" />''' Actions such as the slaying of a Brahmin etc., which bring about undesired results as going to Naraka (for punishments) are forbidden acts.

## '''निषिद्ध-कर्म॥Nishiddha Karma''' (forbidden actions) निषिद्धनिषिद्धानि '''-''' नरकाद्यनिष्टसाधनानि ब्राह्मणहननादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.8)'''<ref name=":2" />''' Actions such as the slaying of a Brahmin etc., which bring about undesired results as going to Naraka (for punishments) are forbidden acts.

#'''उपासना''' '''॥ Upasana Karma''' (Mental activities) उपासनानि - सगुणब्रह्मविषयमानसव्यापार-रूपाणि शाण्डिल्यविद्यादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.12)'''<ref name=":2" />''' Mental activities relating to Saguna Brahma - such as are described in the Shandilya Vidya are termed Upasanas or devotional activities.

## '''उपासना''' '''॥ Upasana Karma''' (Mental activities) उपासनानि - सगुणब्रह्मविषयमानसव्यापार-रूपाणि शाण्डिल्यविद्यादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.12)'''<ref name=":2" />''' Mental activities relating to Saguna Brahma - such as are described in the Shandilya Vidya are termed Upasanas or devotional activities.  

 

# Nitya and other (Naimittika and Prayaschitta) works mainly serve the purpose of purifying the mind; they destroy the papa of a person.

# Upasanas are austerity activities chiefly aimed at the concentration of the mind along with destruction of papa.  

# Nitya and other (Naimittika and Prayaschitta) works mainly serve the primary purpose of purifying the mind; they destroy the papa of a person.

# The secondary purpose of the Nitya, Naimittika and Upasana karmas are the attainment of the Pitrloka and Satyaloka respectively. कर्मणा पितृलोको विद्यया देवलोकः। (Brhd. Upan. 1.5.16) By performing karmas the world of Pitrs is to be gained and by meditation the world of Devas is to be attained. Vidya here means knowledge gained through Upasana.

# Upasanas are austerity activities chiefly aimed at the concentration of the mind along with destruction of papa.

== Vedantic Perspective of Karma ==

== Vedantic Perspective of Karma ==