All Blogs · Theology Thursday ·TODO

What is the Origin of Karma?

Karma refers to the cycle of cause and effect that governs human life.

But, that isn’t how it started.

The idea of Karma first appears in the oldest Hindu text, the Rigveda, with a limited meaning of ritual action. This idea was extended to philosophical ideology in the later Upanishads, where it was linked to actions and their consequences.

In Western ideology, consequences to actions are given out by a divine force.

However in Hinduism, Karma is independent of God and is just a causal energy of the universe that spans multiple lifetimes.

In Hinduism, there are 3 forms of Karma:

Sanchita Karma - not been manifested yet
Prarabdha Karma - to be experienced in this life
Kriyamana Karma - to be experienced in the future (ie: next lifetime)

Karma has no expiration date but…

Once your Karma is equalized and there is none left to be accumulated and reaped in the future, your soul can attain salvation because you are freed from the cycle of rebirth and can reach Nirvana. Everything that is happening to us is a result of our past karma. Until and unless we have sowed and reaped for all our deeds, the cycle of rebirth will continue.

Can your karma be reversed?

Possibly, if you…

Cultivate detachment (vairagya) and higher values (viveka)
Perform your ordained duties with no desire for personal gain
Drop your ego

Enjoyed this article?

Modi Toys is a children's brand of toys and books inspired by ancient Hindu culture. We exist to spread joy and to spark curiosity in the next generation through our innovative soft plush toys, illustrated children's books and free learning resources. Our weekly Theology Thursday series covers a wide range of topics rooted in Hinduism to help us better understand the origins of traditions, the symbolic meaning of rituals, and the stories behind Hindu holidays and festivals. The more we can understand "the why" behind this 4,000 year ancient religion, and make sense of it in this modern age, the greater we can appreciate and preserve our rich Hindu culture. While we take great care in thoroughly researching the information presented, we may occasionally get some things wrong. We encourage a healthy and open dialogue so we can learn together. Please leave a comment below or email us directly at support@moditoys.com to address any concerns.