Q: How to destroy karma with Jnana?
When we are identified with body and mind, we create a lot of karma, karmic impressions. It is infinite. So, you cannot just exhaust it. By doing whatever way, you cannot exhaust it. By doing good karma or whatever way, you cannot exhaust yourself. The only way you can drop the karma is by Jnana, Atma Jnana.
Then, you realize that you are not a doer of karma. Then, there is no karma for you. You understand that.
Now, the question is whether anybody has to do sadhana for coming to that state?
Yes, people have to do sadhana to become free from karma. Because they have got trapped in ignorance. And, in ignorance, they have thought that they are the body and mind. To come out of ignorance, they have to use the body and mind, to come back. Just like, if you are fallen into the water, you have to use the water to swim and come back.
So, you have to do good karma and you have to do sadhana to come out. Now, the question is, what is the importance of knowing karma?
Knowing karma is, most of the time, people blame others for their suffering. Every time there is suffering in my life, it is somebody else who is responsible and not me. I am the victim. So, karma says, “You are not the victim. You are very powerful. The good or bad in your life, you only have created. Nobody else is responsible for your good or bad. Somebody can give trouble. Somebody can hurt you.”
But, internally, to be hurt or not hurt, is your ability, your choice. So, karma says, “Your life is in your hands, and not in anybody else’s hands”. That’s why the importance of karma. Otherwise, we keep on blaming others for our misery. Now, the question is, do we have to know what karma we have done in the past life to become free from it?
Not required. As per Ramana Maharshi, whatever karma is done, is like garbage. Do you go and search in the garbage, what garbage is there? This garbage is there, that garbage is there? Nothing. Just take the garbage and throw it. How do you throw it? By Jnana, Atma Jnana. I am not the doer. I am not the enjoyer. I am not an actor. I am not the body. I am not the mind. I am not the intellect. I am Pure Consciousness. In that process, we will become free from karmic baggage.
Q: Is it required to think why karma happens?
It is required to think about why karma happens. Because, people who are suffering from karma, it is required to think about it. They don’t know how to come out of the karma. To come out of the karma, you have to come through Jnana. Otherwise, people will keep on suffering and thinking that somebody else is responsible for my life. For them, you have to tell them that this is karma and any action will lead to a reaction. What happens in life, you have to tell.
Pranams
Prabhuji
References:
Self Knowledge Talks_T36_DestroyKarmaWithJnana_03Nov2016