❓ Is karma really just ‘what goes around comes around’?

The popular understanding of karma as simple cosmic revenge or reward is overly simplistic. According to the Bhagavad Gita (2.47), karma is a complex system of action and reaction that encompasses thoughts, intentions, and actions.

Karma operates on three levels:

• Sanchita Karma: Accumulated karma from past lives
• Prarabdha Karma: Portion of past karma being worked out in present life
• Kriyamana Karma: New karma being created

Rather than fatalistic determinism, karma theory emphasizes personal responsibility and growth. The Upanishads teach that understanding karma should lead to mindful action (karma yoga) rather than inaction from fear.