What is Karma?
Dr. K. V. Dominic
“What is Karma?”
Joseph, youth of twenty
asked his parish priest, Fr. Francis.
“Great question!” Fr. Francis answered.
“When one learns its answers
and applies it on life
becomes wise and jnani.
Our Indian philosophy
richest mine of any such riddle.
Three types of karmas:
Tamasik, Rajasik, Satvik.”
“Kindly explain, Father.”
“Speech and deeds not caring result,
minding not feelings and emotions,
just like the action of a terrorist
is Tamasik, which you shall never do.
Words and actions
done to please oneself
fall under selfish Rajasik karma.
Words and deeds
done to serve others
are selfless Satvik karma
which makes you a saint.”
“How can one be Satvik, Father,
when Greed is chasing like a monster?”
“Tapas can drive any Greed;
need not go to the Himalayas;
meditation in one’s room is enough.
Satvik karma bears no stamp of the doer;
it’s purified action emitted like a ray.
Once done the doer shall never remember;
never expect return from beneficiary;
not even grateful words or look.
Satvik person overcomes emotions;
negative emotions of anger, apathy,
conceit, despair, doubt, envy,
fear, greed, guilt and hate,
never dare enter one’s mind.
Loves all objects of universe;
animate and inanimate;
animal world and plant world.
Learns the truth ‘aham brahmasmi’
‘I am the infinite reality.’
Thus attains realization of life.”
Fr. Francis enlightened Joseph’s mind.
“Thanks a lot Father for
showing me the right
