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Gaudiya Vaishnavism - An overview Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma)

Karma, Akarma and Vikarma

karma akarma vikarma

Actions that are performed in terms of one’s prescribed duties, as mentioned in the revealed scriptures, are called Karma. ‘Akarma’ are actions that are devoted to the Supreme Lord and are free from material bondage. Actions that are opposed to the instructions of the revealed scriptures, performed through the misuse of one’s freedom, are called ‘Vikarma’.

‘Vikarma’ leads one to the lower forms of life. Of these three, the work, i.e. Akarma, that frees one from the bondage of material life, is favored by intelligent men. Ordinary men might want to conduct good deeds for fame and recognition in this life or perhaps attain heavenly pleasures in the next. However, intelligent men know that both good and bad work binds one to material miseries and hence they choose to act so that they would become free from both good and bad reactions. Vikarma, however, is sinful work that drags one to hellish life.

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Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma)

108 Upanishads according to Muktikopanishad

upanishads vedas scriptures sanatan dharma hinduism

The term ‘Upanishad’ means an intimate session between the teacher and the taught. The Upanishads contain the philosophical essence of the Vedas and are therefore called Vedanta. ‘Veda’ means knowledge, and ‘anta’ means the end. In other words, a proper understanding of the ultimate meaning of the Vedas is called Vedanta knowledge. The Upanishads are to be learned by “sitting near the spiritual master” (upa-ni-shad). The knowledge of the Upanishad is guhya-vidya (secret). Sage Dramida had characterized Upanishad as ‘brahmani upanisanneti upanisat’ – that which is deeply absorbed in brahman. Muktikopanishad lists the names of 108 Upanishads. Of these 11 Upanishads are considered to be the topmost. These eleven are –

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