Two fundamental concepts of Hindu philosophy explained. Understanding how action (karma) and righteous duty (dharma) work together according to the Bhagavad Gita.
Karma = Action and its consequences (the law of cause and effect)
Dharma = Righteous duty and moral order (what you should do)
Key Insight: Dharma guides WHAT actions to take. Karma is the RESULT of those actions. Performing actions aligned with your dharma creates positive karma.
| Aspect | Karma (कर्म) | Dharma (धर्म) |
|---|---|---|
| Literal Meaning | Action, deed, work | Duty, righteousness, natural law |
| Nature | Universal law of cause and effect | Moral and ethical framework |
| Focus | What you DO and its results | What you SHOULD do based on your nature |
| Time Orientation | Past actions → Present results | Present duties → Future guidance |
| Individual vs Universal | Personal - unique to each individual | Both personal (svadharma) and universal |
| Changeability | Constantly created through actions | Relatively stable based on nature/position |
| Can Be Good/Bad | Yes - good karma (punya) and bad karma (papa) | No - dharma is inherently righteous |
| Goal | Liberation through transcending karma | Maintain cosmic and social order |
| Gita Chapter Focus | Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) | Chapter 2 (Arjuna's dharma as warrior) |
| Key Verse | BG 2.47 - Right to action, not fruits | BG 3.35 - Better your own dharma imperfectly |
Karma (Sanskrit: कर्म) literally means "action" or "deed." In Hindu philosophy, it refers to the universal principle that every action has consequences - the cosmic law of cause and effect.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन
BG 2.47: "You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions."
Every thought, word, and action creates an impression (samskara) that influences future experiences. Good actions create positive karma leading to favorable circumstances; harmful actions create negative karma leading to suffering. The goal is not to accumulate good karma but to transcend karma entirely through selfless action (nishkama karma).
Dharma (Sanskrit: धर्म) is one of the most complex concepts in Hindu philosophy. It encompasses duty, righteousness, moral law, and the natural order that sustains the universe.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्
BG 3.35: "It is better to perform one's own duty imperfectly than to master the duty of another."
Your svadharma (personal dharma) is determined by your natural inclinations, abilities, and circumstances. The Gita teaches that following your own dharma, even imperfectly, leads to spiritual growth, while imitating someone else's path creates confusion and bondage.
Karma and Dharma are not opposing concepts but complementary aspects of spiritual life:
Dharma tells you WHAT actions are appropriate based on your nature and position. It's the ethical compass.
When you perform action (karma) aligned with dharma, you create positive results. Actions against dharma create negative karma.
The Gita's solution is to perform dharmic actions without attachment to results. This fulfills duty while transcending karmic bondage.
The Gita's Teaching: Arjuna's dharma as a warrior required him to fight in the battle. By performing this duty with detachment (nishkama karma), he could fulfill his dharma without accumulating binding karma.
| Situation | Dharma (What to do) | Karma (Result) |
|---|---|---|
| At work | Perform your job duties with excellence and integrity | Career growth, trust, satisfaction |
| As a parent | Nurture, educate, guide children with love | Strong family bonds, well-adjusted children |
| In society | Contribute positively, help others, be honest | Good relationships, community respect |
| Spiritually | Practice meditation, study wisdom, serve others | Inner peace, spiritual growth, liberation |
Karma refers to action and its consequences - the universal law of cause and effect. Every action creates results that affect your future. Dharma refers to righteous duty and moral order - what you should do based on your nature, position, and circumstances. Simply put: Dharma guides what actions to take; Karma is the result of those actions.
According to the Gita, past karma must be experienced, but its binding power can be neutralized through spiritual practice, selfless service, and devotion. Most importantly, future karma can be minimized by performing actions without attachment to results (nishkama karma). Complete transcendence of karma comes through Self-realization.
Your svadharma (personal dharma) emerges from understanding your natural inclinations, talents, and temperament. Ask: What activities bring me into flow? What contributions can I uniquely make? What feels aligned with my values? The Gita teaches that even imperfectly following your own dharma is better than perfectly imitating someone else's path.
No. Karma is not predestination. While past karma influences current circumstances, you always have free will to choose your present actions. The Gita emphasizes human agency - Arjuna had the choice whether to fight or not. Your current actions (kriyamana karma) shape your future, so you are not helplessly bound by fate.
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