The law of karma is a spiritual principle found primarily in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It states that every action, thought, or intention has consequences that will affect the doer at some future time, embodying a cause-and-effect relationship. Simply put, "what goes around comes around" or "as you sow, so shall you reap"
. Karma is often compared to Newton's third law of motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, but applied to moral and spiritual actions
. It is not just about punishment or reward but is a natural law of the universe that educates and guides individuals toward positive behavior by showing that harmful actions lead to suffering, while good actions bring happiness and peace
. In Hinduism, karma is classified into four types:
- Sanchita karma: accumulated karma from past lives,
- Prārabdha karma: karma currently bearing fruit,
- Āgāmi karma: future karma generated by present actions,
- Kriyamāṇa karma: immediate karma from current actions that may yield results soon or later
Karma influences not only one's current life but can also affect future lives through the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra)
. It is closely linked to personal responsibility, growth, and spiritual development, emphasizing that individuals must change themselves rather than external circumstances to evolve spiritually
. In summary, the law of karma is the universal principle that every action has a corresponding reaction, shaping one's present and future experiences based on the moral quality of those actions