काल : अतिक्रमण भी; प्रतिक्रमण भी
Summary
The text discusses five fundamental elements: time (kala), nature (svabhav), destiny (niyati), past actions (purakrit), and human effort (purusharth). These elements are interdependent and relative; prioritizing any single one leads to problems. Time is a natural element, each substance has its own nature, and destiny is a universal law applying equally to all. Every action performed through mind, speech, or body, consciously or unconsciously, is recorded and produces a reaction. This principle of action and reaction is the core of karma theory. The text examines freedom and responsibility, arguing that humans are neither completely free nor completely dependent. Both states are relative. The theory of relativity, as proposed by Einstein using the speed of light as a standard, is cited to illustrate that all judgments are relative, not absolute. Time can contract or expand based on relativity. The five elements limit freedom and increase dependence, but complete dependence would negate consciousness and human existence, reducing a person to a puppet. Karma is not all-powerful; it has limitations. It operates within boundaries of substance, space, time, and mental state. For example, the fruition of karma that causes sleep depends on time and place; beings in hell never sleep despite having that karma. The text criticizes the common Indian tendency to blame everything on karma or fate, which leads to passivity in facing poverty, illness, and other difficulties. It presents a story of a man who broke his wife's arm twice, justifying his actions by blaming alcohol and defending a judge's honor, illustrating how people use excuses to hide weaknesses. Ultimately, while time, nature, destiny, and karma influence a person, they are not responsible for actions. Responsibility lies with individual effort and agency. These elements are unconscious, whereas responsibility is linked to consciousness. Only conscious effort can refine behavior. The text concludes by referencing Mahavira's teachings on karma, which include concepts like transformation and alteration of karma, suggesting that with active and awakened effort, karma can be changed.
Conclusion
The document emphasizes that human life is governed by five interdependent factors: time, nature, destiny, past actions, and present effort. It argues that no single factor is absolute, and attributing outcomes solely to past karma or fate leads to passivity and suffering. The key implication is that individuals bear responsibility for their actions through present effort (purushartha), which can modify the effects of past karma. This perspective challenges fatalistic interpretations of karma, asserting that consciousness and awareness enable transformation. The outcome is a call to reject excuses and embrace accountability, as only through recognizing one's agency can behavior be refined and suffering overcome. Ultimately, the document advocates for a balanced, relative understanding of causality, where freedom and determinism coexist, empowering individuals to actively shape their lives rather than resigning to circumstance.