Page "Karma in Hinduism" Paragraph 71

In Hinduism, more particularly the Dharmaśāstras, Karma is a principle in which “ cause and effect are as inseparably linked in the moral sphere as assumed in the physical sphere by science.

A good action has its reward and a bad action leads to retribution.

If the bad actions do not yield their consequences in this life, the soul begins another existence and in the new environment undergoes suffering for its past deeds ”.

Thus it is important to understand that karma does not go away, one must either reap the benefits or suffer the consequences of his past actions.

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad states, “ According as a man acts and according as he believes so will he be ; a man of meritorious acts will be meritorious, a man of evil deeds sinful.

He becomes pure by pure deeds and evil by evil deeds.

And here they say that person consists of desires.

An as is his desire so is his will ; and as is his will, so is his deed ; and whatever deeds he does that he will reap ”.

The doctrine of karma dates from ancient times and besides the above author is mentioned in the Gautama dharma-sutra, Shatapatha Brahmana, Kathaaka-grhya-sutra, Chandogya Upanishad, Markandeya Purana and many others.