1. The Mystery of Karma Presented by VOICE

2. Overview What is karma? The Logic of Karma Doubts about karma The Science of Karma Benefits of understanding the science of karma Devotional Service – The Ultimate Freedom from Karmic Entanglement

3. What is karma?

4. The Logic of Karma - I All of nature obeys laws; why should humans be an exception? We can never break God’s laws; we can only break ourselves against God’s laws

5. The Logic of Karma - II Cause-effect relationship is implicit in everything we do. Eg. Burn scar on friend’s hand

6. The Logic of Karma - III We train our subordinates by reward-punishment. Will God not do the same?

7. Doubts about Karma - I Why do bad people flourish? eg. Silos for storing grains

8. Doubts about karma - II Why should I suffer now for reactions of a previous life? Just as different seeds fructify after different time durations, so do different karmic actions – some in the present life and some in future lives.

9. Doubts about Karma - III Why doesn’t God give all karmic reactions come in this life itself? Eg. Dhritrashtra - Krishna

10. Doubts about karma - IV Why are the ignorant punished? Ignorance is not an excuse for sin; it is the consequence of sin Eg. Prisoner in dark dungeon

11. Doubts about karma - V Why do natural calamities kill thousands of innocent people? Natural calamities kill in mass; but they don’t kill blindly Eg. 1. Tsunami – Scuba divers 2. Gujarath quake – Mother with infant

12. Actions which are performed in terms of one’s prescribed duties as mentioned in the revealed scriptures Actions which are performed by the misuse of one’s freedom which direct one to the lower life forms Actions which free one from the cycle of birth and death

13. The Science of Karma We make our destiny by our karma. “Destiny determines the consequences of our actions, not our actions themselves.” – Vidura to Dhritarashtra Karmavada vs Daivavada

14. Benefits of understanding the science of karma - Social It is the foundation of morality. Eg. Request, “No police in this city. Pl follow the laws” Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom

15. Benefits of understanding the science of karma - Individual 1. Helps us make sense of our present condition and gives us strength to face suffering Eg. Blindfolded man beaten from all sides

16. Benefits of understanding the science of karma - Individual 2. Helps us prepare for the future with confidence Eg. Patient with disease diagnosed and treated.

17. Benefits of understanding the science of karma “Has it occurred to you that transmigration is at once an explanation and a justification of the evil of the world? If the evils we suffer are the result of sins committed in our past lives, we can bear them with resignation and hope that if in this one we strive towards virtue our future lives will be less afflicted." - W Somerset Maugham in The Razor's Edge The famous author, "

18. Devotional service – The Ultimate Freedom from Karmic Entanglement 1. Grants knowledge to make right choices in life 2. Bestows higher taste to give up lower desires 3. Minimizes reactions of past bad karma 4. Gives inner strength to endure residual reactions.