Karma – Its Operation and an Appraisal
Summary
The article 'Karma: Its Operation and an Appraisal' by T.G. Kalghatgi discusses the Jain doctrine of karma. It explains that karma is indestructible and that every action brings consequences. Individuals can either increase or decrease karmic effects and can neutralise them through meditation, penance and confession. The article notes that Jain texts allow transfer of karma; a king acquires a sixth of his subjects’ merit or guilt depending on how he reigns. It then outlines eight processes of karmic matter: bandhana (bondage), samāpatamana (transformation), udvartana and apavartana (increased and decreased realisation), premature realisation (udvartana), subsidence (upāśama), combined subsidence and destruction (kṣayopasama), niṇhatā and nihantara. These processes describe how karmic particles bind to the soul, increase or decrease in duration and intensity, undergo transformation into other karmic types and eventually subside or are destroyed. The article concludes that freedom is achieved by stopping the influx of new karmic matter and destroying existing karma, emphasising moral discipline, self-control and spiritual practices.
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Conclusion
Kalghatgi’s essay explains that karma is not a fatalistic doctrine but an ethical law linking actions to consequences. By describing how karmic matter binds to the soul and how it can be modified or neutralised, the article stresses that individuals are responsible for their destinies. Freedom requires both preventing new karmic influx and eliminating past karma through right conduct and spiritual practices.