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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 ।
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
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)
Depending on the context, Karma according to Vedanta could mean (a) any act, irrespective of its nature; (b) a moral act, especially in the accepted ritualistic sense; and (c) accumulated results, i.e., unfructified fruits of all actions. Underlying these senses is the idea that a person by doing, by acting, creates something and shapes his/her destiny.
Depending on the context, Karma according to Vedanta could mean (a) any act, irrespective of its nature; (b) a moral act, especially in the accepted ritualistic sense; and (c) accumulated results, i.e., unfructified fruits of all actions. Underlying these senses is the idea that a person by doing, by acting, creates something and shapes his/her destiny.
== Types of Karma ==
== कर्माणि भेदाः ॥ Types of Karma ==
=== Based on Direction of Movement ===
Interpreted as motion, Karma can be classified into five categories '''based on the direction of movement''' as explained by the Vaiseshika sutra below. <blockquote>उत्क्षेपणमवक्षेपणं आकुञ्चनं प्रसारणं गमनमिति कर्माणि । वैशेषिक-१,१.७ । (Vais. Sutr. 1.1.7)<ref name=":1" /> </blockquote>They are
Interpreted as motion, Karma can be classified into five categories '''based on the direction of movement''' as explained by the Vaiseshika sutra below. <blockquote>उत्क्षेपणमवक्षेपणं आकुञ्चनं प्रसारणं गमनमिति कर्माणि । वैशेषिक-१,१.७ । (Vais. Sutr. 1.1.7)<ref name=":1" /> </blockquote>They are
# Ut-kṣepaṇa (Upward movement): movement causing conjunction with a spot above the present spot
# उत्क्षेपणम् ॥ Ut-kṣepaṇa (Upward movement): movement causing conjunction with a spot above the present spot
# Ava-kṣepaṇa (Downward movement): movement causing conjunction with a spot below the present spot
# अवक्षेपणम् ॥ Ava-kṣepaṇa (Downward movement): movement causing conjunction with a spot below the present spot
# Ākuñcana (Contraction or flexion): movement causing conjunction with a nearer spot
# आकुञ्चनम् ॥ Ākuñcana (Contraction or flexion): movement causing conjunction with a nearer spot
# 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
# 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.
## Rotation or circular motion (Bhramaṇa)
## Rotation or circular motion (भ्रमणम् - Bhramaṇa)
## Evacuation, gushing out or expulsion (Recana)
## Evacuation, gushing out or expulsion (रेचन - Recana)
## Harmonic motion, flowing (Syandana)
## Harmonic motion, flowing (स्यन्दनम् - Syandana)
## Horizontal movement (tiryag-gamana)
## Horizontal movement (तिर्यग्गमनम् - tiryag-gamana)
## Bending forward (namana)
## Bending forward (नमनम् - namana)
## Rising upward (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 Karma is of two types.
=== Based on the Agent of Action ===
Karma is of two types based on the causal agency of action
# '''सत्-प्रयत्न कर्म ॥ Sat-prayatna Karma''' - Action is caused due to the Prayatna (effort) by a person or an external agent which sets about the action on a thing. Thus the cause of action of a thing is due to the Prayatna of another thing or being, thus is called Prayatna-purvaka karma. Example - A person moves a table, the movement of the table is due to the Prayatna or effort of a person.
# '''असत्-प्रयत्न कर्म ॥ Asat-prayatna Karma''' - An action is not directly caused by effort, but happens due to the impulse sustained by the initial action. Example - Rebounding activity. A ball is thrown on a wall - this is the initial action, it rebounds due to the impulse of the retained from the initial action.
#
#
== Vedantic Basis of Karma ==
=== 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.
# '''लौकिक-कर्म ॥ Laukika Karma''' - These include the daily activities such as walking, running, reading etc.
# '''अलौकिक-कर्म ॥ Alaukika Karma''' - These include dharmik activities such as [[Dana (दानम्)|Dana]], Homa, [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|Yajna]] as prescribed in the Vedic and other texts. They are further of following types.
## '''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)
##*[[Sandhyavandana (सन्ध्यावन्दनम्)|Sandhyavandana]]
##*[[Samidadhana (समिदाधानम्)|Samidadhana]]
##*Devata-archana
##*[[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]]
##*[[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]]
## '''नैमित्तिक-कर्म ॥ Naimittika Karma''' (Occasional rituals) नैमित्तिकानि - पुत्रजन्माद्यनुबन्धानि जातेष्टादीनि । (Veda. Sara. 1.9)<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. 1.9)<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.
#
== Vedantic Perspective of Karma ==
Karma is based on the single principle that no cause goes without producing its effects, and there is no effect that does not have an appropriate cause. Since many of our actions seem to go unrewarded in the present life, and many evil actions go unpunished, it seems reasonable to suppose that such consequences, if they do not arise in this life, must arise in the next.
Karma is based on the single principle that no cause goes without producing its effects, and there is no effect that does not have an appropriate cause. Since many of our actions seem to go unrewarded in the present life, and many evil actions go unpunished, it seems reasonable to suppose that such consequences, if they do not arise in this life, must arise in the next.