KARMA
A small word that carries the vast weight of the cosmos.
In Vedic philosophy, karma is not punishment or reward—it is the law of balance, ensuring that every soul experiences the exact lessons it needs for evolution.
Just as the universe works on perfect mathematical calculation with precision, karma operates with spiritual precision. Every thought, intention, and action plants a seed whose fruits return—not to punish, but to awaken.
Even a single thought that comes into anybody’s mind also comes under KARMA and eventually everyone has to bear its outcome, whether good or bad.
In Astrology, your birth chart (Janma Kundali) is a mirror of your accumulated karmas. The positions of planets, the rising sign, and the timing of events all reveal which karmas are ready to unfold and which can be transformed.
The sages spoke of four kinds of karma—Sanchit, Prarabdha, Agami, and Kriyaman.
Let’s understand these through both spiritual wisdom and Puranic examples and how astrology helps us balance them.
1. SANCHIT KARMA — The Cosmic Storehouse
Sanchit means accumulated. It is the total collection of all karmas—good, bad, and neutral—performed by the soul across countless previous births.
Just as a cloud holds millions of water droplets, the soul holds millions of karmic impressions (Sanskaras). Only a portion of these are chosen for each birth—those become your Prarabdha karmas.
EXAMPLE: Sage Valmiki’s Transformation
Before writing the divine Ramayana, Sage Valmiki was a robber named Ratnakar. His Sanchit karma carried heavy imprints of violence. But through intense penance and the chanting of “Rama”, he purified his past karmas.
This shows that even deep-rooted Sanchit karma can be transformed through devotion and awareness.
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHT:
Sanchit karma shapes the blueprint of your birth chart—your Lagna, planetary strengths, and karmic debts (Rina).
For example:
• A strong Saturn indicates disciplined past lives.
• Rahu-Ketu’s placement reveals the soul’s unfinished desires.
• The 9th house shows accumulated punya (merit).
Remedies to balance Sanchit Karma:
• Meditation and Japa (especially of Ishta Devata).
• Charity and service without expectation.
• Visiting sacred places to cleanse karmic energy (Tirtha Yatra).
As said in the Garuda Purana,
“The merit of selfless deeds follows the soul like a shadow across lifetimes.”
2. PRARABDH KARMA—The Karma Chosen for This Life
Meaning:
‘Prarabdha’ means ‘that which has begun’. It is the portion of Sanchit karma that has “ripened” and must be experienced in the present Birth.
This determines your birth—your family, body, wealth, relationships, and key life events.
Even divine beings, when incarnated, are not exempt from Prarabdha.
VEDIC EXAMPLE : Lord Rama’s Exile
According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama—though an avatar of Vishnu—was sent into exile for 14 years. This was due to the Prarabdha karma of King Dasharatha, who in a previous life accidentally killed a young boy.
The karmic echo of that act manifested in his own separation from Rama.
Thus, even avatars tell us that no one is beyond the law of karma.
One has to face the consequences, good or bad, based on their karmas, even from previous births, which we carry from previous births to the next coming births with new add-ons.
Another Example: Pandavas’ Exile in Mahabharata
The Pandavas, despite being righteous, faced repeated hardships. Their Prarabdha required them to learn patience, forgiveness, and detachment from power.
Krishna, their divine guide, constantly reminded them that karma’s results must be accepted with equanimity.
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHT
Prarabdha karma is visible in:
• The 12th house (past life debts and moksha path).
• Saturn (lessons through discipline and duty).
• Rahu and Ketu (desire and detachment axis).
• The Dasha system (timing of karmic unfoldment).
For example, a Saturn–Moon combination might indicate emotional heaviness due to past-life neglect of responsibilities.
Balancing Prarabdha Karma:
You cannot skip it, but you can elevate your response.
• Accept challenges as lessons, not punishments.
• Strengthen the related planetary energy (e.g., chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” for BALANCING PANCHTATVA). VIDEO LINK
• Perform remedial acts with devotion, not fear.
In Bhagavad Gita (2.47), Krishna reminds Arjuna:
“You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits thereof.”
This verse beautifully captures the essence of balancing Prarabdha karma—through action without attachment.
3. AGAMI KARMA—The Karma You Are Creating Now
Meaning:
“Agami” means forthcoming. It represents the karma you are generating in the present, whose results will manifest in the future—in this life or the next.
This is the realm of free will. Each moment, you are creating new karmic imprints through choices and reactions.
VEDIC EXAMPLE: King Parikshit’s Curse
In the Srimad Bhagavat, King Parikshit insulted a sage by placing a dead snake around his neck.
This single impulsive act (Agami karma) resulted in him being cursed to die by a serpent bite seven days later.
But during those seven days, he transformed his consciousness by listening to the Bhagavat, attaining liberation before death.
This story teaches that even new karma can be purified through awareness and repentance.
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHT
Agami karma connects to:
• Moon and Mercury—the mind and decision-makers.
• The 5th house—intelligence and past–future karma bridge.
• The 9th house—dharma, righteousness, and spiritual growth.
When you act consciously—choosing dharma over ego—you create positive Agami karma, which influences your future birth chart.
Balancing Agami Karma:
• Practice mindfulness before reacting.
• Replace complaint with gratitude.
• Follow your Swadharma (personal duty), not the imitation of others.
In the Gita (18.66), Lord Krishna says:
“Abandon all forms of fear and surrender Unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sin.”
This verse indicates that surrender neutralises even future karma.
4. KRIYAMAN KARMA — The Immediate, Ongoing Actions
Meaning:
Kriyaman is active or present karma—the actions and thoughts we engage in moment to moment.
It’s the only karma we can instantly change through awareness.
If Sanchit is the past and Agami is the future, Kriyaman is the living present—your free will in motion.
VEDIC EXAMPLE: Arjuna’s Choice in the Mahabharata
When Arjuna stood on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, paralysed by emotion, Krishna guided him towards his Kriyaman karma—to act according to dharma without attachment.
His choice in that moment changed not only his fate but also the destiny of an entire era.
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHT
Kriyaman karma is reflected in planetary transits (Gochara) and your current dashas.
These moving planets create situations that test your present reactions.
• A Mars transit over your Moon may trigger anger.
• A Jupiter transit may open spiritual insight.
Your responses decide whether you strengthen or soften your karmic web.
Balancing Kriyaman Karma:
• Observe your speech—words create instant karma.
• Offer food, time, or energy selflessly.
• Practise daily meditation to act, not react.
As said in the Garuda Purana:
“He who performs virtuous deeds each day waters the tree of future bliss.”
HOW ASTROLOGY BALANCES ALL FOUR KARMAS
Astrology is not a tool of prediction alone—it is a spiritual compass.
It reveals which karmas are fixed and which are flexible, allowing us to act with greater awareness.
With the help of Astrology and horoscope analysis, one can understand his journey of current birth and can rectify his previous life’s karma in this birth with devotion and dedicating himself to the path of spirituality.
The Soul’s Journey—From Karma to Liberation
Karma is not cruel—it is compassionate. It gives us repeated chances to learn, evolve, and rise.
The more awareness we bring, the faster we move from reaction to realisation.
The Garuda Purana beautifully says:
“The body is a field, action the seed, and destiny the harvest.”
Astrology helps us recognise what we have sown and what we can still change.
It turns suffering into self-understanding and confusion into clarity.
When we act with awareness, the four karmas become not chains, but wings—carrying us closer to liberation (Moksha).
FINAL THOUGHT
Your horoscope is not your prison—it’s your pathway to freedom.
The planets don’t dictate your fate; they reflect your consciousness.
When you understand the dance of karma through astrology, you stop fearing destiny and start co-creating it.
Every breath, every thought becomes sacred—an offering to your higher self.
As the Upanishads say:
“You are your deepest desire.
As is your desire, so is your will.
As is your will, so is your action.
As is your action, so is your destiny.”
