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The Three Types Of Karma: Sanchita, Prarabdha And Agami

As human beings, it is only natural that we either accept or reject the principle of karma. Many people feel that karma exists and will go to any lengths to prove its existence, perhaps by substantiating their own experiences.

The Three Types Of Karma

The law of cause and effect, or the law of karma to be more accurate, is impregnable and impenetrable. In this article, we basically look at the forms that Karma is divided into. Karma is a very old yet a very-often heard word for us. You might be an atheist, still down there in the heard, a question often comes - does Karma really exist? If it does, how does it work?

Karma is a concept which exists in almost all the religions across the world. Basically, there are three to four types of Karma in Hinduism, based on different accounts. Here we discuss the main three types of Karma based on the Hindu philosophies.

Karma Of Thought, Word And Action

Karma Of Thought, Word And Action

A common understanding of Karma has been divided into three types on the basis of how Karma is done - Karma of thought, karma of words and karma of action. This is because the thoughts, words and physical actions, everything we do reaches a conclusion and gives a result. Hence, there are fundamentally three types of karma that a person can commit and consequently go on to face the effects for. While karma of word and karma of action are more tangible means of understanding the concept, the first one, karma of thought, is in a league of its own to say the least.
Now what exactly do these three types of karma signify? It implies that on a fundamental level, by doing any of these three things, one will face the effects. For instance, it isn't only from action that you face the effects of karma. You face effects even on the basis of your words and thoughts.

Karma Of Thought Is Paramount

Karma Of Thought Is Paramount

Among the three types of karma, karma of thought is the most difficult to control and the effects are often not realised. Since thoughts are what result into actions, it becomes more important. Thoughts can be our greatest treasures and can be the greatest deterrents to a healthy self - a healthy mind to be more specific. If we wish to avert the negativities of karma, checking these three things - thought, word and action is important. When we reflect on these three things, we will definitely come to understand the right way of living.

However, according to many Hindu texts, Karma can be divided into three types on the basis of time. Sanchita, Prarabdha and Agami, these are the three main types. This explanation, is what we generally refer to while talking about Karma.

Prarabdha Karma

Prarabdha Karma

Prarabdha is that form of Karma, which has matured. Prarabdha, another name for matured, it is just like a fruit which has ripened. Whether you pluck the fruit or it falls down on its own, it has to detach itself from the tree when it has ripened. This explains the Prarabdha Karma. When the result of an act that you have already committed in the past is coming to you now, such a Karma is Prarabdha Karma. You cannot escape it. It is just like an arrow that has been shot; it will meet its target and there is no escape for it. Whatever has been committed and the results of which you are getting at present is called Prarabdha Karma.

Sanchita Karma

Sanchita Karma

Then comes the Sanchita Karma. It can also be called stored Karma. It is that Karma which has been committed but the results have not come so far. While some of the Karmas might mature early, others might take some time. For instance, not all the fruits ripen at the same time. Similarly, not all the Karmas get their results at the same time; they take their own period to mature. Hence, such Sanchita Karma might take some years, or even lives to mature. Probably that is why it is said that some situations in the present life are the results of the Karmas of the past life. But what is worth knowing here is that we can change the Prarabdha Karma and thus change its results.

Agami Karma

Agami Karma

The third one is Agami Karma. The Karma that is yet to come. It is said that one can rarely change the Agami Karma. It is like if the food has been eaten, it has to undergo the digestive process. The actions that you are committing now, will have to mature some day, and this you cannot avoid or escape. When you go out of the house, you have to come back at night, and you cannot escape this fact. Hence, the action of coming back will be Agami Karma here. However, by changing the Sanchita Karma, we can also change the Agami Karma sometimes.

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