Agami karma

Definition

Agami karma refers to the actions or deeds performed in the present that will yield consequences in the future, particularly influencing one's next life or existence. It is distinct from past karmas (sanchita karma) and present karmas (prarabdha karma), highlighting the importance of current choices and behavior in shaping future experiences and outcomes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Agami karma emphasizes personal responsibility, as it is based on the choices made in the present moment.
2. The effects of agami karma can manifest in future lives, influencing circumstances, relationships, and overall life experience.
3. In Hinduism, understanding agami karma is crucial for spiritual growth, encouraging individuals to act righteously and with good intentions.
4. Agami karma is often seen as a way to improve one's future by engaging in positive actions today, thus setting a foundation for better outcomes later.
5. This concept plays a key role in the philosophical discussions around free will, determinism, and moral responsibility.

Review Questions

• How does agami karma relate to the concepts of sanchita and prarabdha karma?
  • Agami karma is interconnected with sanchita and prarabdha karma as it represents the actions taken in the present that shape future experiences. Sanchita karma encompasses all past actions that have not yet manifested, while prarabdha karma refers to the actions currently affecting one's life. Together, these three types of karma illustrate how past actions influence the present and how present actions will impact future lives.
• Discuss the significance of agami karma in personal moral responsibility and ethical decision-making.
  • Agami karma plays a crucial role in personal moral responsibility because it highlights that current actions directly affect future outcomes. This understanding encourages individuals to make ethical choices and act with integrity, knowing that their present behavior contributes to their future circumstances. It instills a sense of accountability for one's actions, fostering a more mindful approach to living.
• Evaluate the implications of agami karma on spiritual practices aimed at achieving moksha.
  • The concept of agami karma has significant implications for spiritual practices focused on achieving moksha. By emphasizing present actions as a determinant of future experiences, it encourages practitioners to engage in righteous behavior and cultivate good intentions. This focus on mindfulness and ethical living aligns with the pursuit of moksha, as it fosters personal growth and helps break the cycle of samsara through conscious choices that lead to liberation from worldly attachments.

Related terms

sanchita karma: Sanchita karma is the accumulated karma from all past actions that have not yet manifested in a person's life.

prarabdha karma: Prarabdha karma is the portion of sanchita karma that has begun to manifest in the current life and affects a person's present circumstances.

moksha: Moksha is the ultimate goal in Hindu philosophy, representing liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) through the realization of one's true nature.