Mystery of Karma: Vedic Wisdom

By Saket Shah

Karma means work or action. According to Rishi Jaimini, rituals like Agnihotra, Yajnas, etc., are termed Karmas. There is a hidden power in Karma termed ‘Adrishta’, which brings in fruits of Karmas for the individual. Karma is all in all for Jaimini. Karma is everything for a student of the Mimamsic school of thought. Jaimini is the founder of Poorva Mimamsa. He was a student of Maharishi Vyasa, the founder of Uttara Mimamsa or Vedanta. The Mimamsa school denies the existence of Ishvara, who awards the fruits of works. According to the Gita, any action is a Karma. Charity, sacrifice and Tapas are all Karmas. In a philosophical sense, even breathing, seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, smelling, walking, talking, etc., are all Karmas. Thinking is the real Karma. Raga-dvesha (likes and dislikes) constitute real Karma.
First in this book I am discussing few interesting stories to explain the karma. Then I am explaining what is Karma, action and reaction. How free will and karma works in our like. We always heard in our life as you sow so shall you reap, I am trying to explain that in details. We always wonder about reincarnation so in this book I am trying my best to explain karma related to reincarnation. I hope you will love this book and enjoy reading.  I Welcome everyone to my journey of Spirituality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: SAKET SHAH
• Release date: Sep 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222444987

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Copyright © 2021 by Saket Shah

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

First Ebook edition December 2021

Dear Reader,

Karma means work or action. According to Rishi Jaimini, rituals like Agnihotra, Yajnas, etc., are termed Karmas. There is a hidden power in Karma termed ‘Adrishta’, which brings in fruits of Karmas for the individual. Karma is all in all for Jaimini. Karma is everything for a student of the Mimamsic school of thought. Jaimini is the founder of Poorva Mimamsa. He was a student of Maharishi Vyasa, the founder of Uttara Mimamsa or Vedanta. The Mimamsa school denies the existence of Ishvara, who awards the fruits of works. According to the Gita, any action is a Karma. Charity, sacrifice and Tapas are all Karmas. In a philosophical sense, even breathing, seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, smelling, walking, talking, etc., are all Karmas. Thinking is the real Karma. Raga-dvesha (likes and dislikes) constitute real Karma.

First in this book I am discussing few interesting stories to explain the karma. Then I am explaining what is Karma, action and reaction. How free will and karma works in our like. We always heard in our life as you sow so shall you reap, I am trying to explain that in details. We always wonder about reincarnation so in this book I am trying my best to explain karma related to reincarnation. I hope you will love this book and enjoy reading. I Welcome everyone to my journey of Spirituality.

Regards,

Saket Shah

Before I discuss about karma. First I would like to tell few beautiful stories which will set example of karma in life.

Story of a Bania

A Bania once approached a Sadhu for initiation. The Sadhu said: I will initiate you when I meet you next time. The Bania pressed the Sadhu again and again on several days for quick initiation. The Sadhu totally declined. He returned to the Bania after a couple of years. He placed in his Bhiksha-bowl some mud, hair, urine and excreta and approached the Bania for alms. The Bania brought nice sweet-meats, Kheer, Halwa, etc., for the Sadhu. He prepared nice dishes as he thought he would be initiated this time by the Sadhu. The Sadhu said to the Bania: Put everything in my bowl.

The Bania said: How can I place them, Swamiji, in this dirty bowl. Kindly clean the bowl and bring it to me. I will place all the preparations in it.

The Sadhu replied: When such is the case with this bowl how can I place the pure Lord in your heart which is filled with various impurities like lust, anger, pride, greed, etc. How can I initiate you now, when your mind is very dirty like this bowl?

The Bania got vexed and went away in shame. He purified himself through charity and selfless service and got himself initiated by the same Sadhu after some time. The ground (mind) must be prepared first. Why do you bother much about Upadesha? Purify yourself, and get the moral qualifications, Brahmacharya, etc. The initiation will come by itself.

Story of Raja Gopichand

Minavaty, mother of Raja Gopichand, gave four instructions to her son: 1. Eat nectar-food. 2. Sleep on a bed of flowers (Pushpa Shayana). 3. Live within the iron fort 4. Enjoy with the most beautiful woman (Param Sundari).

The Adhyatmic meaning or esoteric significance of these instructions is this. 1. When you are really hungry, eat your food. It will be digested well. It will be palatable like nectar. Hunger is the best sauce. 2. When you become really sleepy, lie down; you will get sound sleep even though you lie down on a bed of stones. 3. Live in the company of dispassionate Yogis, Sannyasins and Mahatmas. This is the iron fort. No temptations will allure you. 4. Meditate and raise the Brahmakara-Vritti and enjoy with Brahman. This is enjoyment with the most beautiful woman.

Story of a Pandit

Once a learned Khatha-Sastri, a Brahmin Pandit and a Chandala were crossing the river Ravi in a boat in Lahore. The boat capsized owing to the fierce wind. Both the Pandit and the outcaste were about to be drowned. They were drinking water again and again. The arrogant and audacious Pandit told the Chandala: Do not drink the same water from the upper surface of the river which I am drinking. You are polluting me, O Chandala! Drink only the water from the lower portion of the river. Look at the petty-mindedness of the learned Pandit! The Chandala is at the point of death. His life is trembling in the balance and yet the Pandit sees so much difference and entertains the idea of Brahmin-superiority! Do you think that the Brahmin Pandit will feel his oneness with all even after millions of births? What is the earthly use of his Khatha-Sastra, learning and knowledge? Fie on those miserable wretched Brahmin Pandits who are petty-minded and narrow-hearted! Glory to large-hearted Pandits!

The Jolly Ant

Once an ant that was living in a mountain of sugar met another ant living in a mountain of salt and asked: Hallo, my dear friend! How do you do? It replied: I am not as jolly as you are. My mouth is always saltish as I am living in a mountain of salt. The jolly ant said: Come along now to my abode. I shall make you jolly. I live in a huge mountain of sugar. I shall make your tongue always sweet. The unhappy ant followed the jolly ant to the mountain of sugar and lived there for a week. The jolly ant asked his friend: How do you fare now, my amiable comrade. It replied: Still the same as my lot, my good friend. Wash your mouth well with this saccharine solution. Rub your tongue well with this sugar soap. Your tongue needs good brushing up. You were living for several years in a mountain of salt. It followed the instructions of the jolly ant. From the eighth day its mouth became sweet. It also became very jolly. Some aspirants keep within themselves some hidden subtle desires, greed, Moha and pride. These Doshas cling to their minds just as the old salt dung