The voice within

Runa means repaying the debt. Runa is a very vast topic and cannot be covered in an article or two. This debt (Runa) may be in the form of materials, deeds, feelings. Generally we hear about Maatru Runa : Debt of the Mother Pithru Runa : Debt of the father Annadaata Runa : Debt of those who have provided food Ashraya Runa : Debt of those who have provided shelter Nelada Runa : Debt of the motherland Guruvina Runa : Debt of the knowledge given by the teacher Neerina Runa : Debt of the water bodies which provided water Repaying these debts may take place in this birth or next birth. Runa is mentioned in Epic stories such as Mahabharatha. Runa is also mentioned in Vedas, Puranas and ancient scriptures which have existed since thousands of years. In Mahabharatha, Karna repays the debt of his mother (Maatru Runa) by sacrificing his own life. In Ramayana, the squirrel helps Rama to construct the bridge to Sri Lanka. Rama repays the debt by displaying love and affection ( Pre...

In today's world, with the changing lifestyle and the changing mindset of the younger generation a big/wide topic such as Karma will not be taken deeply or considered as knowledge but instead, what is shown on TV will be believed. A little bit of reading, discussion with scholars will help in developing  knowledge and some weightage can be given to their thoughts. Pic source: Google images for Bhagavadgeetha According to Bhagavadgeetha, Karma is explained well in the third chapter.  The fifth verse says : न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् | कार्यते ह्यवश : कर्म सर्व : प्रकृतिजैर्गुणै : || 5|| Translation: A person can never achieve freedom from reactions to activities without first performing prescribed vedic duties; neither can perfection be attained by renouncing them as well.   Nineteenth verse says : तस्मादसक्त : सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर | असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुष : || 19|| Translation: Therefore, without a...