“Nothing happens by chance, by fate. You create your own fate by your actions. That’s Karma.”
We often hear sayings like “You reap what you sow” or “What goes, comes around.” The famous scientist Newton discovered, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
There are various perspectives on the concept of Karma. Some, based on our experiences, see it as a mirror reflecting our actions. Others, however, hold different beliefs, questioning whether our actions genuinely shape our lives or if our present actions influence our future. The term “Karma” or “Laws of Karma” has recently gained popularity, sparking intriguing debates.
Everyone has a unique understanding of this word. Some embrace it as a profound truth, while others remain skeptical. However, the undeniable reality is that karma is a force that can either build or break the path of our lives, a concept that demands our attention and contemplation.
Karma, as a concept, operates according to 12 specific rules or laws, depending on who you ask. These laws, when understood and applied, can have a profound impact on our lives. In this article, we delve into what karma is all about and explore these 12 laws, inviting you on a journey of discovery.
About Karma
Karma is defined in ancient Sanskrit as “action.” The laws of karma concern the good or bad valence of our words, ideas, and actions.
Everything we do, from the food we eat to the thoughts we think, produces energy that returns to us in some form or another. Complex karmic events trigger learning and growth, making good Karma if we seek positive change.
We are all ultimately responsible for our fate, and karma influences everything we do:
- How we treat others is a reflection of how we feel about ourselves
- The belief that we have a unique function in the universe
- The way we handle resources
- How we create our characters
According to the Bhagavad Gita, karma is the cosmic principle that determines an individual’s fate depending on their actions and controls the cycle of life and death.

Working and Science of Karma
Karma promotes intentional action. For example, when you help a person in need, the action leaves an imprint that develops with experiences; you may receive help in return when needed. Conversely, harmful actions have negative consequences—you won’t receive help when needed, but you may be harmed.
But how does karma work? Let’s consider karma as an example: if you plant a mango, would you expect something else to grow in its place? Of course not. Mango seeds would grow into mangoes, just like watermelon seeds would grow into watermelon.
Karma psychology is essentially the same. If your intentions are good, happiness will follow; if your intentions are ill, problems will follow.
When you see cruel and dishonest individuals in positions of power do well in life or kind people face hardships and die young, it may be hard for you to believe in karma. Many individuals invest in karma only in distress or uncontrollable situations, such as a decline in health.
Often, karma helps people cope with these situations. Even those who don’t believe in karma usually think good deeds lead to a better outcome. However, there is a downside to this belief. Some selfless givers think their good deeds and sacrifices will help them win. However, many givers also fail because they struggle to set boundaries when helping others. They may need to improve their ambitions and goals to help others and stay caught up.
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Understanding Karma

Karma is fundamentally laid out in 3 parts: sanchita, prarabdha, and agami:
1. Sanchita Karma
Sanchita karma is the amalgamation of karma resulting from past actions in previous lives. It is the stock of karma from earlier incarnations.
2. Prarabdha Karma
Prarabdha karma is the active element of sanchita karma, as it implicates life’s current actions and affairs. It is the blossoming of the fruit from the sanchita karma’s seed.
3. Agami Karma
Also known as kriyamana, future karma is generated by contemporary actions.
Analogy of Bow And Arrow For Karma
To explain sanchita, prarabdha, and agami, consider karma like a bow and a quiver full of arrows—the whole repository of arrows in the quiver portrays sanchita karmas.
The arrow is our action, while the bow is the intention behind it. As an archer aims before releasing the arrow, our intentions shape our actions. This union of action and intention makes up prarabdha karmas.
The agility of the arrow’s flight and where it lands represent agami karma, the archer’s actions, and the weapon’s future impact.
The arrow’s arrow depends on how well the bow is drawn. If it is drawn skillfully, the arrow hits its target. Likewise, our actions will be good if our intentions are pure, leading to positive outcomes. However, the arrow might miss the target if the bow is drawn clumsily or ill-intentioned.
The same goes for our actions—if our intentions are hostile, our actions lead to dire consequences. Once the arrow is shot, it cannot be canceled, just like our actions cannot be canceled.
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The Law of Karma
Our soul never dies, and when we return to the universe in another body, our past karma comes with us. Thus, it is imperative to be conscious of your actions. If you want proof, notice the actions and reactions happening in your life.
Bhagavad Gita says, If a person is happy at a particular point in his life, it means he performed the good deeds in the past (also past lives) by which he deserves now to be happy and quite the opposite in the case of evil deeds. Learn about karma, reincarnation, the search for happiness, and the science of the soul through an online Bhagavad Gita course!
Karma is simple if one leaves negative thoughts and assumptions aside. The law of karma wants to teach us that history repeats itself unless we stop making the same mistakes. There are 12 laws of karma. If you understand each one, you can change your life.

12 Laws of Karma
Everything in the universe, including what you think and feel, is energy. Simply put, all of your actions generate inverse energy that will find its way back to impact you at some point. Using the 12 laws of karma as the rules for leading a prosperous life is believed to guide you to awareness of the consequences of your deeds and actions.
Keeping that in mind, you should consider the laws of karma as directions to abide by in your life. The 12 principles of karma aid you in understanding the way it functions and how exactly you can manifest positive karma for yourself. Let’s take a look at what these laws are:
1. The Law of Cause and Effect
This is the most fundamental law, often closely associated with karma. It states that whatever energy or thoughts you manifest, you shall receive in return—positive or negative. You must build yourself to achieve everything you wish to deserve these things. It can be summed up as “You reap what you sow.” Consider an example of a person who consistently spreads negativity and criticism. They often find themselves surrounded by similar energy, leading to a lack of love and positivity.
2. The Law of Creation
The law of creation underlines that life is not just a unique experience for us. To achieve great things in life, you must manifest and carry out affirmative action to achieve them. And not hold out hope for things to magically align with your intentions. It is recommended that you ask yourself what needs to be done to let go of negative energy and manifest what you want in life. Another way of doing so is by considering the ways your talents can be used to provide something beneficial for people around you. For instance, if you want to improve your relationships, you can start by practicing empathy and understanding, which will help you manifest more love and harmony in your life.
3. The Law of Humility
This law of karma states that an individual should not be so arrogant as not to accept that anything they face is the consequence of their past deeds. For instance, blaming others for unsatisfactory professional performance instead of accepting that this results from failing to fulfill their duties to their full potential. The consequences of not accepting this law can be detrimental to our relationships and personal growth. By refusing to take responsibility for our actions, we deny ourselves the chance to learn and grow, and we may find ourselves repeating the same mistakes or facing the same challenges repeatedly.
4. The Law of Growth
Although most people want to experience change instantly, real, lasting change only comes from within. One must start within oneself to make the world more loving and positive. This is because growth begins with yourself and not others around you. Ultimately, you should be your only focus, not others and their actions. This realization should inspire and motivate you to embark on a journey of self-improvement.
5. The Law of Responsibility
This law states that you are responsible for whatever you experience in life. It ensures you do not blame other people or things as the root of your problems. The law of responsibility states that a person is a cumulation of all their life decisions.
6. The Law of Connection
This law revolves around the belief that all phases of your life, including your life history, current state, and what is to come, are intricately interconnected. Everything you experience today is an outcome of your actions in the past and intentions, and your deeds today will decisively shape your future. This understanding should make you feel more responsible for your choices and actions.
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7. The Law of Focus
Dividing focus between multiple things simultaneously can make the mind cluttered and cause negativity and frustration. This is why the law of focus stresses the importance of focusing on a single thing at a particular time. If you want to eliminate feelings of regret, anger, or greed, you should concentrate on the higher wisdom of peace and love.
8. The Law of Hospitality and Giving
This law of karma states that you should give and commit to the things that have made you who you are. It focuses on the impact of your actions and the reflection of your more superficial understanding of the energies surrounding you. For instance, if you wish to reside in a world of love and peace, you must create an environment for the people around you.
9. The Law of Here and Now
Embracing the present is one of the best ways to experience tranquillity and achieve inner peace truly. This can be done by letting go of all the negative behaviors and thoughts from the past. If you focus too much on one event from the time that has passed, you will be destined to relive that moment repeatedly. People can embrace the moment they live by focusing their eyes upon something, blinking, and affirming, ”I am here.”
10. The Law of Change
This law states that history will repeat itself unless you learn something from past events and take the appropriate steps to break the cycle. This will give you an opportunity for change so that you are free to create an improved version of yourself and a better future, void of any vicious patterns from the past.
11. The Law of Patience and Reward
This law dictates that to inculcate change in the future, you should be consistent with your actions in the present. There is no point in living healthy for one day and contradicting your actions the next day. Be consistent in your actions and intentions; you will achieve what you want. However, maintaining this consistency can be challenging, especially when faced with obstacles or distractions. Awareness of these developing strategies and the difficulties to prevail over them can increase our chances of success and personal fulfillment.
12. The Law of Inspiration and Importance
We all have different roles and something to contribute to this vast world. What we contribute might seem insignificant, but it makes a massive difference in someone else’s life. This is a great law to practice if you need motivation and feel like you need more purpose. Everything you contribute to the world affects other people in some way. You were born with an explicit purpose that only you can complete with your skills and uniqueness.

Difference Between Karma and Karma Yoga
Understanding the concepts of Karma and Karma Yoga is crucial for delving deeper into Hindu philosophy and spiritual practices, mainly as they are rooted in the Bhagavad Gita. While both terms are related to action and its consequences, they hold distinct meanings and implications. Let’s explore the differences between the two:
Karma
Karma, a universal law of cause and effect, governs all actions, thoughts, and intentions. This principle, applicable to every individual, states that every action has a corresponding reaction. The sum of our actions in our current and past lives shapes our future experiences and circumstances. It’s a concept that binds us all, reminding us that we reap what we sow.
It is a neutral concept devoid of inherent goodness or badness. Karma encompasses the natural consequences of one’s actions, which can be positive, negative, or neutral. However, it’s important to note that the type of karma generated is not solely based on the action but also the intention behind it.
Karma Yoga
Karma Yoga is a specific spiritual path and practice that aims to transcend the karmic cycle. It is one of the four main paths of yoga outlined in the Bhagavad Gita, along with Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Jnana Yoga (knowledge), and Raja Yoga (meditation).
A spiritual path and practice, karma yoga is a beacon of selflessness. It teaches that by performing actions without attachment to their results, we can achieve spiritual liberation. It’s about dedicating our actions to the divine or the greater good rather than seeking personal gain. By detaching from the outcomes and offering our actions as service, we aim to purify our hearts and minds, ultimately transcending the cycle of karma and rebirth.
In essence, karma is the universal law of cause and effect, while karma yoga is a spiritual practice that offers a path to transcend it. By engaging in selfless service and detaching from the fruits of our actions, we can aspire to transcend the cycle of karma and achieve a higher state of consciousness. It’s a journey of hope and liberation.
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FAQs on the 12 Laws of Karma
The 12 laws of karma are a set of modern interpretations of karma primarily for people who need an indigenous understanding of karmic cause and effect. They are mainly a self-help guide.
Karma is any action. It can be considered the spiritual equivalent of Newton’s law. Every action or intention, whether physical or mental, creates an energy of karma coming to fruition in the future.
According to Hindu philosophy, karma can be divided into three types: prarabdha, sanchita, and kriyamana or agami.
You should always be compassionate, kind, and loving to give positive karma. Anything done with these feelings is counted as good karma; when you do good karma, you get good and positive karma.
You decide your actions. However, anything that doesn’t feel good to your soul is bad karma, while things that feel good can be seen as good karma.
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Conclusion
Karma is seen throughout history across several traditions and religions, with one focal theme: You get what’s coming to you—for better or worse. By learning the 12 laws of karma, you can deepen your understanding of self and your motivations and operate in a way that gives you liberty from any heavy karma and invites in the good.
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