We must know about karma, akarma and vikarma as also do proper action. This can be done not by aping others but finding out what is right to do, says Ajit Kumar Bishnoi

lord Krishna has guided us about these in the fourth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. let us understand them with the help of some common examples. “Because one should be cognisant about proper action, and should also be aware of wrong action. And one should know about inaction. The intricacy of action is very difficult to understand.” (4.17)

We begin with proper action or karma. We are all responsible for a few things. For example, parents must pay attention to their children in order that children grow up well. Similarly, a head of a family must earn sufficiently for his family’s maintenance. A son is responsible to learn such that he can independently be able to support himself later, ie in his youth.

The next proper action is to appreciate the circumstances one is placed in and act in a proper way. For example, a son, whose parents have passed away, must look after the welfare of his sister till she gets married, and even subsequently also, if warranted.

Any action can only be called proper if it is according to dharma. I have written about dharma in my articles earlier, therefore, I will not repeat it here. However, we generally know what is according to dharma and if there is any doubt one should check with knowledgeable persons.

Everyone of us must be useful and cooperate with others so that all of us flourish. This is what God expects us to do. (Bhagavad Gita 3.10)

Then, all of us must try to optimise whatever ability we possess. The resources at our command, like time, money, knowledge, etc should be put to the best use possible; we should attempt to work at our peak efficiency, circumstances permitting.

Next let us understand what inaction or akarma is. The direct meaning is not doing anything, but it is much more than that. Not doing one’s duties is inaction too. For example, a wife is not well and the husband does not pay proper attention to her by not taking her to a doctor on the pretext of being busy is inaction. Similarly, not shouldering one’s responsibility, like leaving the care of children in the hands of servants by any mother because she prefers to spend time with her friends partying, etc is also inaction. lastly, not attuning oneself to the circumstances like a student from a poor family not paying attention in school and expecting his parents to provide him with a tutor is also inaction.

 Now we come to improper action, ie vikarma. We all know that becoming drunkard, indulging in illicit acts, gambling, ending up as a drug addict, etc are all improper actions. However, there is a larger meaning of this word. These examples will illustrate. One who abandons his wife and children before they are settled is doing vikarma. One who deprives others of their rights by illegal means is doing vikarma.

Also one who breaches maryada, like disrespecting saintly persons, is also doing vikarma. Knowledgeable persons should be honoured and one should get wise counsel from them.

What is the conclusion thenIJ That one should not only know what karma, akarma and vikarma are but also do proper action. According to the Bhagavad Gita, this can be done by not necessarily doing what others are doing but find out what is appropriate to do. For example, it has become fashionable to avoid God. No one should ignore God at least after one has turned 50. One should vanquish by the fire of superior knowledge the desire for sensuous enjoyments prior to one’s death. (4.19)

Similarly, before leaving one’s body, one should stop taking shelter in material enjoyments. (4.20) One should do all acts in a mood of sacrifice only. (4.23) One should also not be attached to fruits of action. (4.21) This way one will be satisfied, and his or her life will be well lived.

Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com