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PRACTICE OF KARMA YOGA
leprosy, epilepsy and gulma (chronic gastric catarrh) are due to very bad Karmas. It is also difficult to say whether this body is the resultant product of a single Karma or a mixture of several Karmas. Generally one strong and powerful Karma determines the birth of an individual and keeps up the current of life of that particular birth. Some minor Karmas may be joined to the main trunk or the central thread. Learned persons say that one will have to take several births sometimes to exhaust the fruits of one important virtuous Karma. The secret of Karma is very mysterious. God only knows them because He is the Law-giver. Sometimes highly virtuous and vicious Karmas bring forth their fruits in the very life itself.
It is impossible for a man to remain without doing any action either through the organs of action, feet, hand, etc., or through the mind. Even if he becomes a Sannyasin and retires into the cave in the Himalayas he must continue eating, drinking, answering the calls of nature, sleeping, etc. That is the reason why the Lord says in the Gita: "Nor can anyone, even for an instant remain really actionless; for helplessly is everyone driven to action by the qualities born of nature.” Ch. III-5.
If work ceases to produces rebirth, literally no one can be freed. To avoid this difficulty knowledge is credited with powers of destroying Karmas. The Gita says: Jnanagnih sarvakarmani bhasmasatkurute.
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