What You Put Out in the World Will Return to You—(Even Krishna Wasn't Above Karma)
Nidhi | Feb 06, 2025, 21:57 IST
Explore the profound teachings of karma in the Bhagavad Gita, illustrating how every action has consequences. Even Lord Krishna, despite his divine status, was not beyond its reach. This article examines how karma governs life, showing that it's not just about good or bad deeds, but about responsibility, cosmic balance, and the return of actions.
"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।" – भगवद गीता 2.47
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions."
Karma—often misunderstood, yet profoundly simple. It's a cosmic law, a universal truth that no one, not even the gods, can escape. The concept of karma asserts that every action, whether big or small, good or bad, will come back to you in some way. The Bhagavad Gita, the ancient scripture where Lord Krishna’s teachings are recorded, lays down a deep understanding of this law. The teachings remind us that our actions affect not only our lives but also those around us and the universe at large. But what happens when the very being considered divine, like Krishna, faces the consequences of karma? The truth is, karma operates beyond any individual’s control.
Let’s dive into the thought-provoking wisdom of karma, its relevance in Krishna’s life, and the incredible tale of Gandhari’s curse.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that karma is not just a moral law but the very foundation of dharma (duty) and the universe. Everything in the cosmos runs according to karma, with every action having a corresponding reaction. Krishna’s teachings emphasize performing your duties selflessly, without attachment to the outcomes. This concept is illustrated in Gita 3.35, where Krishna says:
"शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नर:।
न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पश्येदेव आत्मनं सदा।।"
"Whatever action a person performs, whether right or wrong, it is their duty to perform it with the right attitude, for it is through karma that the universe remains in harmony."
The essence of karma lies in the intention behind your actions. It’s not the act itself, but the motivation that determines whether the result will be good or bad. Krishna explains that performing one's duty with sincerity and integrity can lead to the highest spiritual fulfillment, regardless of the material outcomes.
Even Lord Krishna himself, in his divine role as the Charioteer in the Mahabharata, was bound by karma. Despite being a deity, Krishna faced the consequences of actions, both his own and those of others. His guidance led Arjuna through the battlefield of Kurukshetra, yet the resulting war still unfolded with consequences for all involved.
The famous incident of Gandhari’s curse serves as a prime example of how karma can catch up with anyone—no matter their divine status. After the war, when Gandhari’s sons perished, she blamed Krishna for not preventing the war and cursed him and his Yadava clan to destruction. Krishna, who had been instrumental in the events leading to the Kurukshetra war, accepted the curse and knew that karma would have its way.
This moment in the Mahabharata illustrates the power of karma—not even Krishna, who had divine foresight, was exempt from the cycle of cause and effect. Gandhari’s curse became a turning point in Krishna's life, marking the destruction of the Yadava dynasty and Krishna's eventual departure from Earth.
Karma is not only about divine punishment or rewards; it is a law of balance. Every action, thought, or emotion creates ripples that affect our future and the lives of others. Whether you believe in karma or not, the reality is that our actions shape our tomorrow. Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, urges us to perform our actions with detachment, which means not focusing on the results but on the act itself.
In Bhagavad Gita 2.47, Krishna highlights the importance of focusing on the present:
"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।।"
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities."
This teaching emphasizes that what you do today will return to you tomorrow, and sometimes, it may return in unexpected forms. For Krishna, the actions of his life—helping Arjuna, guiding the Pandavas, and his role in the war—brought consequences not just for him but for his entire family.
One of the most profound and tragic stories in the Mahabharata is that of Gandhari’s curse. After the loss of all her sons in the battle of Kurukshetra, Gandhari, filled with grief and anger, cursed Krishna and his Yadava clan. She could not bear to see the destruction of her children and blamed Krishna for not intervening.
Gandhari's curse was direct:
*"जैसे मेरे बेटे मरे हैं, वैसे ही तुम्हारा यदु वंश समाप्त होगा।"
"Just as my sons have perished, so will your Yadava dynasty be destroyed."
Krishna, being all-knowing, accepted the curse, knowing that karma was at play. In the end, the Yadava dynasty was destroyed through infighting and destruction, which marked the final days of Krishna’s earthly existence. His departure was also the fulfillment of the karmic cycle. This illustrates that even Krishna, who had orchestrated the war and controlled many events in the Mahabharata, was not exempt from the laws of karma.
At the core of the concept of karma is the idea that it’s not simply about labeling actions as “good” or “bad,” but about accepting responsibility for the choices you make, regardless of the outcome. Karma is often misunderstood as a cosmic scale of rewards and punishments: if you do good, good will come to you; if you do bad, bad will follow. While that’s a part of it, karma in its truest sense goes beyond the binary of right or wrong. It’s about the responsibility you bear for your actions and the consequences that arise from them.
In Bhagavad Gita 3.35, Krishna says:
"नहि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते।।"
"It is impossible for the embodied soul to renounce all action. However, one who renounces the fruits of action is said to have truly renounced."
This highlights the importance of detaching oneself from the results and performing actions with a sense of responsibility and mindfulness. The focus should always be on the action itself and not the reward.
Karma operates not just as a cosmic law but as a tool for spiritual evolution. Krishna’s teachings suggest that karma is not only about the worldly consequences of our actions but about our growth as individuals. Every action and its result contribute to our journey towards self-realization and liberation (moksha).
In Bhagavad Gita 6.5, Krishna explains:
"उद्धरेत् आत्मनात्मनं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन:।।"
"One should elevate oneself by one's own efforts, and should not degrade oneself. The mind is the friend of the soul, and the mind is the enemy of the soul."
Karma is a way for individuals to develop self-discipline, learn from their mistakes, and ultimately move toward spiritual liberation. Krishna taught that actions performed with the right intention and for the right cause lead us closer to liberation.
Karma shapes our lives and the world around us in ways we may never fully understand. What you do today will inevitably come back to you. Lord Krishna, the supreme being who knew the law of karma inside out, still faced its consequences. His life and teachings remind us that karma is the force that binds the universe, the law that no one—mortal or divine—can escape.
As we navigate our own lives, it is crucial to remember that every action, thought, or decision contributes to the balance of karma. In the words of Krishna, "Do your duty without attachment to the result." The return of karma is inevitable, but it is through our actions that we shape the future. Remember, karma is dharma, and it will always come back to you, in ways that may surprise you.
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions."
Karma—often misunderstood, yet profoundly simple. It's a cosmic law, a universal truth that no one, not even the gods, can escape. The concept of karma asserts that every action, whether big or small, good or bad, will come back to you in some way. The Bhagavad Gita, the ancient scripture where Lord Krishna’s teachings are recorded, lays down a deep understanding of this law. The teachings remind us that our actions affect not only our lives but also those around us and the universe at large. But what happens when the very being considered divine, like Krishna, faces the consequences of karma? The truth is, karma operates beyond any individual’s control.
Let’s dive into the thought-provoking wisdom of karma, its relevance in Krishna’s life, and the incredible tale of Gandhari’s curse.
1. Karma: The Foundation of Dharma and Cosmic Balance
Karma is Dharma
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that karma is not just a moral law but the very foundation of dharma (duty) and the universe. Everything in the cosmos runs according to karma, with every action having a corresponding reaction. Krishna’s teachings emphasize performing your duties selflessly, without attachment to the outcomes. This concept is illustrated in Gita 3.35, where Krishna says:
"शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नर:।
न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पश्येदेव आत्मनं सदा।।"
"Whatever action a person performs, whether right or wrong, it is their duty to perform it with the right attitude, for it is through karma that the universe remains in harmony."
The essence of karma lies in the intention behind your actions. It’s not the act itself, but the motivation that determines whether the result will be good or bad. Krishna explains that performing one's duty with sincerity and integrity can lead to the highest spiritual fulfillment, regardless of the material outcomes.
2. The Eternal Law of Karma : No One, Not Even Krishna, Is Beyond It
Mahabharata
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
The famous incident of Gandhari’s curse serves as a prime example of how karma can catch up with anyone—no matter their divine status. After the war, when Gandhari’s sons perished, she blamed Krishna for not preventing the war and cursed him and his Yadava clan to destruction. Krishna, who had been instrumental in the events leading to the Kurukshetra war, accepted the curse and knew that karma would have its way.
This moment in the Mahabharata illustrates the power of karma—not even Krishna, who had divine foresight, was exempt from the cycle of cause and effect. Gandhari’s curse became a turning point in Krishna's life, marking the destruction of the Yadava dynasty and Krishna's eventual departure from Earth.
3. What You Do Today Will Affect Your Tomorrow: The Ripple Effect of Karma
Life
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
In Bhagavad Gita 2.47, Krishna highlights the importance of focusing on the present:
"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।।"
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities."
This teaching emphasizes that what you do today will return to you tomorrow, and sometimes, it may return in unexpected forms. For Krishna, the actions of his life—helping Arjuna, guiding the Pandavas, and his role in the war—brought consequences not just for him but for his entire family.
4. The Curse of Gandhari: Even the Divine Must Face Consequences
Gandhari's curse was direct:
*"जैसे मेरे बेटे मरे हैं, वैसे ही तुम्हारा यदु वंश समाप्त होगा।"
"Just as my sons have perished, so will your Yadava dynasty be destroyed."
Krishna, being all-knowing, accepted the curse, knowing that karma was at play. In the end, the Yadava dynasty was destroyed through infighting and destruction, which marked the final days of Krishna’s earthly existence. His departure was also the fulfillment of the karmic cycle. This illustrates that even Krishna, who had orchestrated the war and controlled many events in the Mahabharata, was not exempt from the laws of karma.
5. Karma Is Not About Good or Bad—It’s About Responsibility
Right or Wrong Doing
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
At the core of the concept of karma is the idea that it’s not simply about labeling actions as “good” or “bad,” but about accepting responsibility for the choices you make, regardless of the outcome. Karma is often misunderstood as a cosmic scale of rewards and punishments: if you do good, good will come to you; if you do bad, bad will follow. While that’s a part of it, karma in its truest sense goes beyond the binary of right or wrong. It’s about the responsibility you bear for your actions and the consequences that arise from them.
In Bhagavad Gita 3.35, Krishna says:
"नहि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते।।"
"It is impossible for the embodied soul to renounce all action. However, one who renounces the fruits of action is said to have truly renounced."
This highlights the importance of detaching oneself from the results and performing actions with a sense of responsibility and mindfulness. The focus should always be on the action itself and not the reward.
6. Karma: A Cycle of Growth and Spiritual Development
Spirituality
( Image credit : Freepik )
Karma operates not just as a cosmic law but as a tool for spiritual evolution. Krishna’s teachings suggest that karma is not only about the worldly consequences of our actions but about our growth as individuals. Every action and its result contribute to our journey towards self-realization and liberation (moksha).
In Bhagavad Gita 6.5, Krishna explains:
"उद्धरेत् आत्मनात्मनं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन:।।"
"One should elevate oneself by one's own efforts, and should not degrade oneself. The mind is the friend of the soul, and the mind is the enemy of the soul."
Karma is a way for individuals to develop self-discipline, learn from their mistakes, and ultimately move toward spiritual liberation. Krishna taught that actions performed with the right intention and for the right cause lead us closer to liberation.
The Power of Karma Is Unavoidable
As we navigate our own lives, it is crucial to remember that every action, thought, or decision contributes to the balance of karma. In the words of Krishna, "Do your duty without attachment to the result." The return of karma is inevitable, but it is through our actions that we shape the future. Remember, karma is dharma, and it will always come back to you, in ways that may surprise you.