Eternal Law of Karma

Arun Kumar Gupta
arun.k.gupta5151@gmail.com
Life and death have always been two of the greatest mysteries before humanity. From ancient times, sages and seekers have attempted to understand why suffering arises, why joy blossoms, and why one life ends sooner than another. Different schools of thought have offered their answers, but within the Vedic tradition, the principle of karma provides perhaps the clearest and most profound explanation. Every action performed by a being carries consequences, and those consequences unfold in ways that shape both life and death. Nothing in this universe occurs outside the order of divine law.
Death comes in countless forms. Sometimes it is peaceful, the final breath of a life that has run its natural course. At other times it arrives through disease, accidents, calamities or even violence. There are also instances of suicide, where despair overpowers the will to live, or moments where wild creatures and human aggression bring an end to existence. To the eye, the causes appear diverse. Yet in truth, every death is governed by the balance of deeds performed by the soul across time. No end is untimely, for every departure follows the rhythm of karma.
This understanding often raises a challenging question. If God governs the law of karma, why then is a murderer punished for killing? If death is already destined, what role does human action play in it? The answer lies in the unique position of man in creation. Divine inspiration guides every soul toward righteousness, but man is given the freedom to choose. When this freedom is misused and a person harms another, the burden of fresh karma falls upon him. The victim’s end may have been destined, but the aggressor must still answer for the deed. Thus the law of karma holds both sides accountable, each for their own choices.
One can see this principle more clearly by reflecting on injustice in daily life. Consider a situation where someone’s rightful dues are denied through dishonesty, misuse of influence, or corruption. The one who suffers such injustice may feel crushed by helplessness, and this too is bound to his past deeds. Yet the person who committed the injustice is not absolved of responsibility. Even if he appears to prosper for a time, the weight of dishonesty will return to him as suffering later. In this way, karma ensures a balance that cannot be escaped. Injustice harms not only the victim but also the one who commits it, who darkens his conscience and distances himself from the light of truth.
God does not dictate the exact means through which a person dies, whether through illness, accident or violence. What is determined is the inner experience of that moment, the degree of suffering or peace that the soul feels. This depends entirely on the karmic account carried forward. A person who has cultivated honesty, virtue and purity of thought often meets death with calmness, even if the outward circumstances appear harsh. Another who has lived with selfishness or cruelty may face great inner turmoil, even in ordinary conditions. Pain, therefore, cannot be measured by what others see but by the state of one’s own soul.
This perspective transforms the way one views suffering. Those who endure hardship with patience and courage are not weak; they are the truly strong. They allow their conscience to shine brighter by refusing to let adversity overpower them. Such individuals are considered noble because they turn pain into strength and wisdom. On the other hand, those who respond to difficulties with anger, bitterness or wrongdoing only entangle themselves further in the cycle of karma. The same trial that elevates one soul can pull another downward depending entirely on how it is faced.
For this reason, the cultivation of a pure conscience is vital. A person with integrity and clarity of heart can withstand even the darkest times. Such purity grants inner strength and peace that external misfortunes cannot shake. Societies where honesty, justice and compassion prevail create conditions where harmony grows, while those plagued by corruption and greed fall into cycles of suffering. Every individual choice contributes to this wider fabric. When a person resists wrongdoing, fulfills duties sincerely and works without selfish motives, they brighten not only their own soul but also set an example that uplifts others.
The law of karma is not meant to discourage action. On the contrary, it inspires right action. Defending what is just and reclaiming what is right are not sinful deeds, provided they are pursued with fairness and without malice. The challenge lies in acting firmly while keeping the mind free of hatred. When rights are sought in a spirit of duty and justice, no harmful impressions are left behind. When the same pursuit is carried out in anger or vengeance, it creates fresh karmic burdens. The key lies in balancing worldly responsibility with inner detachment.
Human beings occupy a unique space in creation. Animals are bound by instinct, while God is untouched by bondage and abides in complete knowledge. Humans, however, possess freedom of choice and the ability to discriminate between right and wrong. Every thought, word and action leaves impressions on the soul, shaping not only this life but those to come. When actions are guided by selfishness or cruelty, these impressions become chains. When they are guided by compassion, honesty and selflessness, the soul grows lighter and moves closer to liberation.
True liberation does not come from abandoning duties but from purifying the spirit in which they are performed. When one acts without craving for results, when deeds are offered as service rather than for reward, no new karma is created. The mind becomes steady, desires loosen their grip and peace begins to take root. Through steady practice, meditation and selfless service, the soul is refined until it can act fully in the world yet remain untouched by bondage. Such a person becomes free even while living. For them, death is not a fearful end but a gentle transition in the soul’s eternal journey.
The principle of karma reminds us that life holds meaning at every step. Every challenge contains an opportunity to grow, every joy is a sign of grace and every sorrow teaches the soul a lesson. By embracing truth, practicing compassion and avoiding harm to others, one builds a destiny of peace. When these values take root within families and communities, they bring harmony not only in spiritual terms but also in daily life. Justice, honesty and kindness strengthen bonds of trust, reduce suffering and lift society as a whole.
The law of karma is not a doctrine of fear but of balance. It reassures us that no action, however small, is overlooked. It assures that every effort toward goodness will bear fruit, even if not immediately visible. It explains that death is not an accident of fate but part of a larger order, the continuation of a journey shaped by one’s own past. Above all, it invites every person to live consciously, making choices that purify rather than bind.
Seen through this lens, death ceases to appear as an end, and life ceases to appear as a chain of pleasures and pains. Together they form chapters in the unfolding story of the soul. To live wisely is to align oneself with truth, to act justly and to nurture purity within. In doing so, one prepares not only for a peaceful departure but also contributes to a brighter and more harmonious world. This is the eternal law of karma, just and compassionate, guiding every soul toward its highest freedom.
(The author is President of Arya Samaj Dayanand Marg, City Chowk, Jammu)

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