The Meaning & Understanding of Karma
Swami Sivananda Saraswati beautifully elucidates the Law of Karma:
"Life is an unbroken chain of results of past actions. What you sow, so shall you reap."
The concept of karma carries colossal significance, not just in Vedic tradition from which it originates, but it is rooted in the each cell of our existence on each level. The utterly mysterious forces of karma shape our destinies in a grandiose manner.
We ofthen hear the term, however, what is karma actually? How do we percieve it? In ancient texts it is said that karma and time are the misteries not even greatest of yogis can entirely comprehend, especially from the perspective of human experience. Karma and time are inseparable, as time is the messenger Karma prolifically uses to deliver the message. In the hymns of Vedas, we can find the time described in a particular, truly powerful way:
"Time has created the sky and these earths. Set in the motion by Time, the past and the future subsist. Time created the earth, by Time the Sun burns, through time all beings exist, through time the eyes see. Time is The Lord of all things..."
There is time, reffered as eternal time, which the human mind cannot grasp and comprehend at all - Mahakala.
According to the legends, when the soul is about to "descend" again into another cycle of rebirth, the God Váruṇa takes his part by binding the soul with eight ropes (gunas), in eight directions familiar to us, trapping it inevitably to certain karmas and experiences and making it "stand" on the planet Earth. Váruṇa (to surround, to cover or to bind), is known as the God of the sky and the oceans, guardian of the West direction (a direction which is a significator of this material world), as a reference to the cosmological ocean or river encircling the world, but also to the "binding" by universal law or Ṛta (In Sanskrit - "order, rhythm, rule, truth, logos", the principle of natural order which regulates and coordinates the operation of the universe and everything within). In the hymns of the Vedas, Ṛta is described as that which is ultimately responsible for the proper functioning of the natural, moral and sacrificial orders.
Karma, simplistically observed if possible - represents the energetic ropes trapping the soul in the material existence (incarnation - in carne; embodied in flesh) and our sole purpose on this planet is to untie these ropes and liberate ourselves, as the infinite beings of light. Our ribcage, in a certain way illustrates the cage for the soul. Yet, in these modern, fairly distopian times in Kali Yuga, we live to witness certain individuals and even societies with transhumanistic agendas, having the insatiable desire, a distorted minds - with the goal of immortality, wishing to, in a complete ignorance - trap to soul indefinitely in this material world.
However, it is far from being that simple in regards to karma. In some legends, it is also portrayed that higher beings, advanced souls, descend into this material world again after exhausting all of the good karma they have attained when they transcended this world. The legends and ancient texts also state they travel in the drops of rain, entering the soil, the herbs we consume, and then into the semen of a man, and finally - into the womb of a woman after the conception. This is why rain has the purifying effect - we never know which uplifted souls are descending into this realm, and some of them could become historical figures, as such advanced souls are incorporated into the human condition for a reason and special purpose.
Some people even do not believe the Karma exists, which, perhaps could be defined as an ultimate ignorance, yet, in the age of Kali Yuga such stands are not rare at all - many people refuse to believe in any higher subtle forces, including even God, being the highest. Within vedic tradition, as the most ancient foundation of the mankind known presently, karma is not merely an abstract principle, but a vital force, all-pervading law by which the consciousness functions in these realms, shaping one’s destiny. It is widely understood that our actions—performed across numerous lifetimes—shape the conditions of our present existence and carve the path for future experiences as a soul, the Light having a dense, material experience through the lens of the body and the mind, interacting with the "outer" world - the Maya.
Karma, derived from the Sanskrit root “kri” meaning “to act” or “to do,” signifies that every action carries within itself a seed of consequence, the result of our energetic imprint - whether it is intention, a thought, word or deeds, action. Whether favorable or unfavorable, each deed creates next energetic imprints that eventually ripen into experiences—mirroring the nature of the original action. This foundational doctrine outlines something very sublime, if we, with time, evolve enough to delve into the mysteries of karma and our existence - that we are the architects of our own realities; we evolve to the level of becoming conscious of this indefinite process, uplifting the consciousness, awareness, the soul which we are, as an inseparable part of the God.
In a similiar way this process is described in the shamanism of the ancient civilizations of Americas, where it is described how each human being is the magician in their own terms - just by being able to percieve one among numerous realities coming from the highest of the misterious forces, the Universe, the God.
It is essential to try to understand that karma is not a system of punishment and reward; it operates as a divine mechanism and law, for growth and transformation, self-realization. Recognizing karmic patterns empowers individuals to make conscious decisions and align themselves with spiritual knowledge and principles, accept their destiny arising from their previous lifetimes and actions, attached to the current one, as we are spiritual beings, inseparate from these laws. We can escape the laws of our mundane societies, but we could never escape those coming from the creators of existence.
The origins of karma lie deep within the soil of complex Vedic philosophy and spirituality. More than a belief, karma is a metaphysical principle that governs the unseen currents of cause and effect across the universe, governing entire life on the planet. At its essence, karma implies that every thought, word, action, and most important - the intention before anything, releases an energy that sets in motion a corresponding outcome that is inevitable. This includes acts that are benevolent as well as those rooted in ignorance or harm. The universe, in this light, becomes a dynamic field of interactions where every being is continuously shaping their experience through intentional (or unintentional) action. How this infinite evolution of consciousness is unfolding is beyond human comprehension.
Karma is also intricately connected with samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth as upheld in Sanatana Dharma. According to this sacred teachings, the soul journeys through countless lifetimes, and each incarnation is conditioned by the cumulative karmas of the past. In simple terms, our actions today ripple across time, influencing both our present life and future incarnations.
Karma exists to teach us, for the soul's purpose to expand, to learn through different experiences, trough opposites; it is a supreme guiding force that make individuals evolve, to live with awareness, to evolve towards light, accept their karma with peace, resulting in non-creation of new karma, ultimately leading to the purification and liberation of the soul from the cycles of rebirth (Moksha). It teaches us that destiny is not imposed from the outside but emerges from within, formed by choices made over lifetimes.
This karmic framework extends beyond the human realm, the mind and its capacities, encompassing all living beings. Every conscious act, whether guided by love or rooted in ignorance, adds to a soul’s karmic ledger. Hence, cultivating pure intentions and compassionate behavior is essential for generating auspicious karma.
This understanding and the effects of karma in a particular lifetime and preceding ones is integrated into the astrological chart of an individual - it is all what astrology, or jyotish is all about, that is why an astrologer is not only someone who is reading and presenting the karmas inherited, from the chart, he is also a form of a supereme guidance in a human form. Astrologer needs to sincerely study and present chart placements and effects, introduce remedial measures and the path on which a certain individual should and is destined to walk. In simple terms, as the word jyotish suggest - astrologer is a beacon of light for the souls being too lost in the vast illusion of the material, fallen world we live in and consider it the realest, the most important, just like we do when we are dreaming, and only when we wake up we realize it was only a vivid dream. An astrologer, especially Vedic, or a jyotishi, interprets the karmic imprints carried into this life, given with birth and how they will develops over this and possibly other lifetimes. Each planet acts as a vehicle, channeling karmic energies into different areas of experience—from material pursuits to spiritual evolution.
Recognizing the part of karma in one’s life inspires a deeper level of introspection. It dircets us to become conscious co-creators of reality, rather than passive, lamenting recipients of our fate. Knowing why, the cause, makes all the difference, it changes us energetically and we approach completely different towards any situation, as our perception is changed, our reaction to circumstances as well, leading to peaceful acceptance and "burning" of the karma we are born with, that binds us. More than anything, it develops self-awareness, encouraging us to make choices that aligns us with the truth.
Vedas, as the ultimate, limitless foundation of wisdom and knowledge, classified multiple categories, types of karma, each highlighting aspects of human destiny. These karmic layers reveal the nuances between determinism and free will, and, accordingly, karma is classified in a certain manner:
Classification by the outcome of the karma - general cathegories
Punya Karma - Auspicios activities having the ultimate goal of sensual pleasures, an enjoyment of this physical world, all acording to sacred texts and rules. This type of karma is convential and most often among the souls, and it keeps them being incarnated over and over in this material world.
Vikarma - Vikarma represents the same sensual enjoyment, yet, against the sacred texts and spirituality postulates; the result is the fall into the lower dimensions of physical existence - the soul could incarnate in an animal form or in a lower state of cosciousness.
Akarma - Akarma represents non-atachment to activities and its results, and any auspicious results and outcomes are offered to the God. This type of karma leads to the final liberation (Moksha).
Types of karma in general
Kriyamana Karma (Current Karma):
This category encompasses the actions we perform in the present moment. Kriyamana karma actively shapes our future experiences and is constantly being generated as we move through life. Every thought, decision, and behavior contributes to this ongoing karmic stream.
Sanchita Karma (Accumulated Karma):
Sanchita karma is the total storehouse of all karmas accumulated over countless lifetimes. This vast reservoir contains both resolved and unresolved actions, and from this store, certain karmas are drawn into each incarnation.
Prarabdha Karma (Activated Karma):
A subset of sanchita karma, prarabdha karma includes those karmas that are ripe and ready to unfold in the present life. It determines the circumstances, relationships, and challenges one must face during this incarnation as inevitable.
Agami Karma (Future Karma):
This refers to the karma being created through our present actions, which will bear fruit in future lifetimes. Agami karma represents the bridge between what we are doing now and the destiny we are shaping for the future.
Classification by changeability
Dridha Karma (Fixed Karma):
These karmas are immutable—fate, that is firmly set into motion, an inevitable karma. Dridha karma governs fundamental aspects of life, such as the circumstances of our birth, physical attributes, and major life events. These experiences are the unavoidable fruits of past actions and are said to be beyond human intervention or very difficualt to change such direction of karma. It is represented by fixed zodiac signs: Taurus (Vrishabha), Leo (Simha), Scorpio (Vrischika), Aquarius (Kumbha).
Adridha Karma (Changeable Karma):
In contrast, adridha karma refers to those actions that can be altered or redirected in the current lifetime with good deeds, intentions, remedies, acts, devotion. It represents the domain of personal effort and choice, where conscious action and spiritual practice can modify the course of destiny.
Zodiac signs embodying this karma are the movable signs - Aries (Mesh), Karka (Cancer), Libra (Tula), Capricorn (Makar).
DridhaAdridha (Resolue - Not Resolute Karma): It is unintentional karma, for instance - when there was no ill intention, it just happens the person did not know better and guided someone into the misconduct or a mistake. If someone asks you for help and you help with sincere, pure intention, but without much knowledge and awareness about the subject you are directing the person into a wrong decision, unintentionally, howevere, for thath particular person it might be a minor karma displaying, leading him into the "wasted" effort and stress as a result of taking the wrong decision. Sincere regret takes care of such karma, and such karma is changeable with good remedies and noble deeds and actions, similar like adridha karma, however, it is not possible to completely change and transform such karmic patterns and energy, but to a certain level certainly is, depending on an individual chart. Dual signs are the manifestaion of such karma - Gemini (Mithuna), Virgo (Kanya), Sagittarius (Dhanu) and Pisces (Meen).
The eons old question—Are we governed by fate, or do we have the power to shape our lives?—has echoed through human history. Vedic astrology and tradition provides a powerful lens to explore this question, offering a balanced view that neither denies the weight of destiny nor overlooks the transformative power of free will.
In this ancient science, Prarabdha (destiny) and Purushartha (free will) are the dual forces guiding our experiences. Our Janma Kundali or a birth chart acts as a celestial map, revealing the interplay of karmic debts and the potential for growth through intentional action.
The birth chart captures the planetary alignments at the exact moment of your birth, forming a karmic blueprint. The positions of the planets across the twelve houses (bhavas) and zodiac signs (rashis) represent your inherited tendencies, inner strengths, weaknesses, and the timing of significant life events.
Yet, destiny in Vedic astrology is not a rigid decree. Rather, it is a framework, an outline of what is to be faced—not necessarily how it must be experienced. It is the stage upon which the drama of life unfolds, but the script still leaves room for improvisation.
If destiny sets the stage, free will is the actor who brings the play to life. Purushartha refers to conscious effort and the ability to make choices within the karmic framework. It empowers us to navigate challenges, redirect energies, and rewrite how our karmic story unfolds.
For example, a difficult planetary placement in the chart may signal a tendency toward anger or impulsiveness. While that tendency is part of your karmic inheritance, free will allows you to choose how to respond, even if it may be very difficult to govern those energies. Through self-awareness, discipline, and effort, you can transform reactive energy into constructive power.
In this way, free will is not about changing your destiny, but about how you engage with it. It is the force that determines whether you grow from your karmic lessons or become further entangled in them.
Life is neither fully predetermined nor entirely self-directed. The truth lies in the dynamic relationship between destiny and free will. Every choice you make—every expression of will—generates new karma, agami karma, which in turn shapes your future experiences.
So while you may be born with certain karmic circumstances (prarabdha), your responses to them create fresh karmic ripples. In this way, free will is the artist painting on the canvas of destiny—working with pre-existing lines, but free to choose the colors, the depth, and the emotion.
Importantly, free will operates within the karmic framework. It doesn’t eliminate past karma but determines how it is experienced. Thus, free will is the tool by which we either deepen our suffering or liberate ourselves through conscious engagement.
This system reflects a cosmic justice where nothing is lost and every action has its place. While prarabdha sets the tone, agami karma—shaped by free will—can either lighten the karmic load or add to it.
The birth chart is a symbolic representation of karmic destiny. Divided into 12 houses, each corresponding to a key area of life (self, relationships, career, health, wealth, etc.), it reveals where the past actions are echoing the most into the current experience.
The 1st House (Ascendant/Lagna) shows your physical form, personality, and primary karmic orientation. The planet ruling this house and any planets placed here describe your innate disposition and the challenges or blessings you bring from past lives.
Saturn (Shani), the supreme planet of karma, is especially important. Its placement in your chart points to areas of hardship, discipline, and spiritual testing. While it can indicate burdens, Saturn also brings rewards for patience, persistence, and right action—it is, after all, the great teacher.
Rahu and Ketu, the Moon’s shadow nodes, are potent indicators of karmic themes. Rahu represents unfulfilled desires and worldly illusions, our desires for this lifetime, while Ketu symbolizes detachment and spiritual liberation, the attained knowledge and themes from previous lifetimes. Their placements show the evolutionary lessons soul is working through in this lifetime.
At the heart of Jyotish Shastra lies the belief that all actions, both seen and unseen, conscious and subconscious, sow the seeds of destiny. These karmic imprints find reflection through celestial bodies, most prominently Saturn and Mars, who stand as primary Karakas (significators) for Kriya—the physical manifestations of karma or action in the material world.
Beyond the physical realm of karma lies a subtler and far more elusive layer—Mansik Karma, or subconscious karmas. These karmas are not played out on the physical stage but brew quietly in the recesses of the mind. They reside in the domain of Mana (the mind), formulating internal narratives shaped by unfulfilled desires, suppressed logic, unresolved dreams, and aspirations left dangling.
This hidden theatre of karmic activity is governed by the Moon (representing the emotional and psychological dimension) and Mercury (symbolizing logic, intellect, and reasoning). When these planets are under affliction or influenced by malefics like Rahu, Ketu, Mars, or Saturn, they can create distortions in one's inner world, leading to the generation of impure, manipulative, or delusional thoughts that eventually spill over into reality.
The Vishuddhi Chakra, located in the throat region, plays a significant role in filtering mental and emotional karmas. It serves as the purification center for both the psyche and the soul. An imbalanced or blocked Vishuddhi Chakra can cause deep psychological unrest, anxiety, emotional confinement, and even manifest as physical ailments related to the throat or thyroid.
When the Moon and Mercury suffer affliction, the imaginative mind constructs mental karmas that are neither grounded in reality nor aligned with dharma. These karmas are born of our sensory speculations and unresolved desires. They form the bridge between thought and action and have the potential to manifest into the physical realm if not acknowledged and purified.
As described in the Bhagavad Gita, “Mana is both the boon and the culprit”—it governs the most significant part of human accountability for both good and bad karmas. Mercury, a sub-agent of Mana, transforms thoughts into logical plans and mental blueprints for future actions. If Mercury is well-placed and aspected by benefics, especially in the Dharma Trikonas (1st, 5th, and 9th houses) — it directs one’s actions toward higher wisdom and societal upliftment. However, if afflicted, it can lead to unethical, manipulative behaviors and karmic entanglements.
Whether carried out in waking consciousness or embedded in the subconscious, all karmas eventually lead to outcomes—known as Karma-Phala (the fruit of actions). These results are bound by the eternal principle of cause and effect, and their timing and intensity are governed by planetary positions and transits.
The Navamsa chart (D9), also known as Dharmamsa, is the spiritual lens through which we view the fruition of karmas accumulated over lifetimes. It reflects the deeper layer of the soul's journey, revealing whether our past karmas will manifest into dharmic fulfillment or bring challenges that compel introspection and correction.
Marriage, for example, is seen as a profound dharmic bond, a sacred duty fulfilled through mutual support, procreation, and spiritual companionship. The condition of Venus in the D9 chart (for men), or Jupiter and Mars (for women), is particularly telling. Any affliction—especially from malefic influences like Rahu or Mars—may point to karmic irregularities related to relationships, potentially resulting in delay, discord, or moral lapses. Thus, afflictions in the D9 serve as karmic signposts, indicating areas where Adharma (unrighteousness) has crept in, and where conscious effort is required to restore balance.
From a spiritual perspective, marriage is a result of Sanchita and Prarabdha karmas—karmic residues of previous births. Whether one experiences joy or suffering in marital relationships is tied to past deeds. The 6th house in D1 often plays the role of a karmic gatekeeper, obstructing harmony in relationships when burdened by afflicted planets or nodes.
The Atmakaraka (planet with the highest degree in a chart) is the governor of the soul’s journey. When it is debilitated or afflicted in the D9 chart—particularly in Dushtana houses—it suggests the soul is carrying a heavy burden from past actions. While material progress may be possible, the inner struggle for spiritual elevation becomes immense. Over time, as Saturn, Jupiter, and Rahu/Ketu complete their cycles, the native begins to awaken to deeper truths and confront their karmic reality.
This moment of awakening is pivotal. The individual chooses to either rise above their past or be consumed by it. Karmic debt demands repayment, in any lifetime, with the blessings of divine guidance, seers, and gurus that can help to ease the process.
The Vimshottari Dasha system, when aligned with Moola Dashas (root dashas), provides profound insight into the timing and unfolding of karmic events. These planetary periods act as karmic messengers—bringing the results of accumulated good and bad deeds into conscious experience. The transits of Saturn and Jupiter, in particular, serve as triggers. Jupiter opens doors of opportunity; Saturn enforces the repayment of karmic dues.
This eternal law is not confined to metaphysics—it resonates with the laws of physics and reality. Karma is cause and effect in motion, governed in the astrological realm by Saturn, the strict disciplinarian and wise teacher. While we are each responsible for our actions, it is ultimately the Supreme Being (represented astrologically by Jupiter) who dispenses the phala (fruits) of karma, in alignment with divine timing.
In Sanatana Dharma, Karma is not a curse but a sacred opportunity—a divine mechanism to cleanse, purify, and grow. It invites us to live consciously, to act ethically, and to understand that every thought, word, and deed plants a seed for the future.
Conclusion
This understanding of karma through Vedic knowledge and Jyotish is not meant to burden the seeker with guilt, or fear of upcoming repercussions, but to offer a path toward evolution, self-awareness, liberation. The birth chart is a map that shows not just what is inherently our karma, but what can and how it can be transformed. With the help of true Gurus, jyotishis or other guidance in human form on Earth, we can take this path and make progress towards what is really important - realization of our true nature. In this eternal process, making sincere efforts to understand Karma is the purest form of love of God and devotion. the unfahtomable will and force, that will eventually liberate us.
