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CRIME AND KARMA
unjoy the fruits of good action and be punished for the evil. The causal consequence may not be - vident in the same life. The doctrine of reincarmation is the counterpart of the doctrine of kærm. Yet, the highest ideal of Indian spiritualisın is nishkam karma-to work unconcerned with the result. How can one be unconcerned with ihat which must happen to him irrespective of his will ? Here is a contradiction between free will and determinism. If the law of kar 117:7 is to be interpreted not as an expression of popular superstition, then it implics the acceptance of the principle of determinism. Providential Will is excluded froin this scheme. The future of anyonc is determined by his present actions, and these again have becn
etermined by his acts in the past. Another ideal of Indian spiritualism is to regard this chain of the law of karna as a vicious circle, and to endeavour to find a way out to salvation. This ideal is set forth most authoritatively in the Gita.
"I do not do any work (do not act) for the result. I am neither friend to some or foe to others. I have given enough (what is necessary or what is deserved) to everyone in my creation. Therefore, whoever knows me in this form (character) and, working not for the result, tries to be like myself, he becomes free from all hondage."
If this scriptural injunction is read together with the doctrine of karma, either the latter is
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