Karma

The Sanskrit word karma literally means work or action. Karma is one among the six fundamental substances (padartha). Thus, karma is subject of knowledge and is the cause of all universe. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/29] Philosophical and practical approach of karma is described in classics of Ayurveda. In medical science, it can be understood that inappropriate karma is a cause of diseases. The signs and symptoms of a disease are represented by the action of vitiated doshas (karma). Appropriate karma in the form of medical therapies, surgical procedures, etc. forms the treatment protocols. So, karma symbolises tri-aphorism (Trisutra) in Ayurveda viz. etiology (hetu), clinical features (linga) and medicines (aushadha). [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/24] Karma denotes a broad spectrum including action of drugs, or the functions of body systems, dosha or body tissues, treatment procedures, the outcomes of the previous birth, etc. This article described concept of karma in detail with its practical applications.

Karma

Section/Chapter/topic	Concepts / Karma
Authors	Bhojani M.K.1, Rahul Anand1
Reviewer	Basisht G.2
Editor	Deole Y.S.3
Affiliations	1 Department of KriyaSharira, A.I.I.A. , New Delhi, India 2 Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India 3G.J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat, India
Correspondence email	meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com
Date of first publication:	February 23, 2022
DOI	under process

Etymology and derivation

The word ‘karman’ is formed by applying suffix ‘manin’ to the Sanskrit verb ‘kri’. It means the thing that is done. Karma is the dynamic trade that moves substances from one place to the other. So, karma can be considered ‘activation’ or ‘movement’ or ‘tendency’ (pravritti) or ‘work’.

Synonyms

Karma is also known by synonyms like kriya (actions), yatna (efforts) and kaarya samarambha (initiation of work). The effort done to perform the action is known as ‘pravritti’.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/77] So, pravritti is also called the synonym of karma.

Definition and interpretation

Karma is a dynamic movement of substances from one place to the other. It brings about changes in the substances. Karma includes simultaneous process of combination (samyoga) and separation (vibhaga).

Karma is defined as ‘action present in the matter, devoid of any quality (guna)’. It is regarded as an independent cause of conjunction and disjunction of things. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/52] All actions and movements (karma) are limited to corporeal substances (murta dravya) such as earth, water, light, air and mind (panchamahabhuta except ether or akasha); and there is no action on pervading substances like directions (disha), time (kala) and soul (atma).

The effect of drugs (aushadhi) is ‘karma’. Thus the pharmacological activities like emetic, purgative, cleansing, pacifying, astringent, appetizer, pressing, lowering body weight, raising body weight, rasayana (drug or food that prevent ageing), aphrodisiac, inflammatory, dissolving oedema, burning, tearing, intoxicating, causing death, counteracting poison, etc. actions are listed under karma. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 40/5] The guna (qualities) are identified by their respective karmas like anulomana karma (restoring and facilitating physiological direction of various flows within the body) of sara guna (mobility); brimhana karma (promoting tissue growth) of guru guna (heaviness); stambhana karma (checking any flow through or out of the body) of sheeta guna (coldness), etc.

Classification

Karma is broadly classified in two types:

1. Adhyatmika denoting those deeds having metaphysical or invisible effect.

2. Laukika denoting the deeds having a physical or visible effect.

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