Forms of Karmas

There are certain forms of karmas which are performed to attain specific results. Such forms of karma can be termed ‘kamya karma’. They come under activities done to get an amount of wealth or pleasure. The legendary ‘putrakaameshti yaga’ (rituals performed to get efficient and beautiful son) is only a kamya karma. Kamya means results to satisfy the sensory pleasures of an individual. Hence kamya karma means a specific set of karma performed to attain pleasure for the sense organs. Then, it is advised that a wise man should always avoid performing the kamya karma because ultimately such karma would only give pleasure and pain together. The best example is the story of Ramayana (Indian epic). Dasaratha, the emperor and the father of Rama performed ‘putrakaameshti yaga’ to get sons who are capable to satisfy his sensual pleasures but unfortunately Emperor Dasaratha died of anxiety and agony due to the separation of his son Rama. Pratisiddha karma means the form of karma to be prohibited because the performance of such karma would only end up in contradictory results. Prati-siddha means contradictory to what was expected. Best examples are gambling and liquor business. The purpose in either cases is to attain happiness by way of accumulating more money. But unfortunately, gambling and drugging lead everyone to ruin. Therefore, such group of karmas comes under the classification of prohibited karmas. The prohibition of such karmas should be done externally by the rulers imposing specific regulations and internally by the individuals regulating themselves. The acts of regulations, both internal and external, are essential for the maintenance of peace and harmony in every society. A society that is not being regulated properly will have to count its’ own days. There are many examples to trace. The tales of Sodom and Gomorra, where even God could not find a just man amidst the thousands were finished. Like this the proper performance of all the forms of karma are essential for a healthy set up of the society.