Every now and then, we hear the word “karma.” But what does
this word truly mean?
The word Karma comes from the Sanskrit root Kri,
which means “to do” or “to act.” Karma simply means action. It can be a
good action or a bad action. The concept of karma was initially
mentioned in the Vedas and later elaborated in the Upanishads. The Bhagavad
Gita explains that virtuous actions lead to pure and uplifting results,
passionate actions lead to suffering, and ignorant actions lead to delusion.
Ayurveda, too, mentions karma as a cause for health
and disease. Good karma, i.e., indulging in healthy food and activities, leads
to a disease-free life. Similarly, the opposite, i.e., bad karma,
results in disease and disabilities.
Human existence is not merely about survival and a
disease-free life, but about responsible participation in society and nature. Therefore,
karma in its true sense should be understood as performing good actions
for the benefit of fellow human beings and other living beings.
In one of my previous blogs -growing fondness towards the
unknown and what is or who is a linchpin, I had mentioned that to become
successful, one needs excellence in their profession and should be an expert in
their subject speciality. Such excellence can be achieved only through hard
work, discipline, and the practice of the right karma in the right
direction. However, achieving excellence is not easy. It demands sacrifice,
patience, and continuous effort.
This leads to an important question: What is the ultimate
purpose of gaining excellence in a profession?
Most human beings desire immortality in some form. We wish
to leave behind a legacy. Perhaps this desire is uniquely human. At the same
time, we often behave as though we are superior to every other living creature.
In that process, we have polluted nature, destroyed ecosystems, and made Earth
increasingly unsafe not only for animals but also for ourselves. Human greed
and selfishness have disturbed the balance of life on this planet.
When we think deeply about leaving a legacy behind, we must
first remind ourselves that we are mortal. Time eventually erases almost every
name. A few people may remember us for some years, family members may mourn us,
and anniversaries may briefly bring memories back — but life moves on. This is
not pessimism; it is a reality. We are ultimately a small part of nature,
just like every other living being.
Then what is the true purpose of achieving excellence?
The purpose of excellence is service. The knowledge, skill,
and success we gain should help us serve humanity and reduce suffering around
us. Since we are fortunate enough to be born as humans, let us perform good karma
and contribute positively to society through our profession and actions.
A saying by the famous Bollywood actor Salman Khan, ‘help
three people and let these three people help three more, thus starting a chain
reaction of philanthropy. Perhaps there is no permanent legacy to leave behind.
But kindness, compassion, and sincere actions do create a meaningful impact in
the lives of others, even if the world eventually forgets our names.
Therefore, our moral responsibility as human beings is
simple:
- Be kind.
- Help others.
- Do no harm.
- Strive for
excellence, not for ego, but for service.
Being in my late forties has given me a different
perspective on life and professional achievement. This blog is the result of
that insight.
I welcome opinions both in favour of and against these
thoughts. Different perspectives help us grow.
Dr Preetham Pai
Professor,
Department of Kaumarabhritya-Balroga
BVDUCOA,Pune.
