How to become Karma-free
Karma is not action and reaction as in Newton’s laws of physics. Sometimes the law of
karma is erroneously defined as: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The law of karma states that for every action there is a consequence; it may not equal and
it may not even be opposite.
This is so because the Law of Karma deals with individual, cognizant beings on varied
levels of spiritual maturity. Hurling an insult at MK Gandhi and hurling an insult at Idi
Amin would result in two very different consequences; neither of which would be equal
or opposite to our act of verbal insult.
Not only do our actions have consequences but they also leave impressions on our subtle
being. These material impressions must be purified in order to break free of Samsara. So
karma is; an action resulting in a consequence, which in turn leaves an impression on our
subtle being.
There are three divisions of action.
1) Karma – Actions that give good consequences and leave good impressions on
our subtle being; thus keeping us bound in samsara.
2) Vikarma – Actions that give bad consequences and leave bad impressions on our
subtle being; thus keeping us bound in samsara.
3) Akarma – Action that may result in good or bad consequences but, and this is the
key, leave NO impressions whatsoever on our subtle being and therefore does not
keep us bound in samsara.
Note: There is no such thing as “good” and “bad” karma, from the spiritual perspective,
because any karma that leaves impressions binds us in Samsara and, in terms of spiritual
development, this is hardly advantageous.
Karmic and Vikarmic activities will leave impressions on our subtle being, we don’t want
that. So we must resort to Akarmic activities.
There are 4 practices which enable us to become and remain Karma Free:
1) Mantra Spiritually empowered hymns, chants and sound vibrations
2) Yajna Spiritually empowered ceremonies, meditations and worship
3) Seva Spiritually empowered selfless work
4) Prasad Spiritually empowered blessings

1) Mantra – All sound energy is powerful and can therefore leave powerful karmic
impressions upon the soul. However, spiritually pure sound burns the impressions
of our Karmic and Vikarmic activities.
2) Yajna – Yajna, which is not spiritually pure, can also increase our karmic
impressions. For example there are meditations and ceremonies to enhance our
material affluence. Such Yajna are Karmic and will leave impressions, albeit
“good” ones.
3) Seva – Philanthropic and humanitarian work, though selfless, can also be quite
Karmic thus leaving “good” impressions. Because we want to be Karma-free our
Seva also has to be spiritually pure.
4) Prasad – (I believe this is what Christians call Grace) Blessings can come in
many forms i.e. spiritually purified food, clothing, flowers, inanimate objects etc.
By properly receiving such Prasad karmic impressions can be reduced and
eradicated.
However, these 4 practices, if not spiritually purified are also Karmic and thus leave
impressions. The spiritual catalyst for such purification is – Guru.
The Guru (enlightened one, master, saint, insert any term you like) is the key in
spiritually empowering and purifying these 4 processes. The living Guru comes in a line
of Gurus who are spiritually pure, empowered and karma-free and therefore able to “burn
and consume” the Karmic impressions of others. The Guru, will either personally
eradicate the Karmic impressions of his or her charges, or pass them on to his/her own
Guru for eradication. The four practices, in themselves, are quite karmic indeed when
engaged in by a person who is NOT connected to a line of spiritually pure and Karma-
free masters.
To be Karma-free liberates us from samsara and allows for Brahman realization. The joy,
happiness and freedom of Brahman realization far outweigh the temporary pleasures
resulting from “good” karma. Krishna tells Arjuna about the immense pleasure derived
from Brahman realization alone, not mention the subsequent realizations of Paramatma
and Bhagavan.
Take Action:
Find a master who comes in a spiritual lineage of masters (called parampara) and under
his or her auspices engage in the 4 practices mentioned above. With this method one can
become karma-free even in this life, be liberated from samsara and achieve spiritual
(Brahman) realization.