Meaning of Karma

[dattaswami]

Meaning of Karma

 

The word Karma means work in general but this word karma also means the work done for the sake of selfishness and his family members. The word Karma Yoga means the work done for the sake of the Lord. The word Vikarma means the work done in excess [for selfish gain alone] even after achieving the wealth required for the necessities of family (Karmanohyapi…). Therefore, Karma means the necessary work or duty done to acquire wealth for the basic needs for your family. Vikarma means not only earning excess wealth but also wasting the wealth in luxuries. Both these types of Vikarma are sin and should be avoided. When you sacrifice the excess wealth to the Lord, you must sacrifice it with fear and shyness [not with pride] because the entire creation is the wealth of the Lord (Kasyasvit Dhanam—The Veda). Even while sacrificing work to the mission of the Lord, you should know that the Lord alone supplies you the energy required to do the work. Therefore, you should not feel [proud] that you have served the Lord (Naivakinchit, Ahankara Vimudhatma, Brahmanyadhaya, Navadvare).