Talk:The Complexity of Karm:External Modifiers of Karm

By Vishal Agarwal

Internal modifiers of the moral worth of Karm:

1. Whether they are generally regarded as evil or good deeds,
2. Role of the doer (direct doer, instigator, condone),
3. Intent of the doer,
4. Knowledge/Ignorance or understanding with which the deed was performed,
5. Ability or the capacity of the doer and
6. Shraddhā (faith in the efficacy and propriety) in the mind of the doer.

If our scriptures were to teach only inapplicable Utopian ideals, they would be worthless, or of very limited value to most people from a practical perspective. Therefore, according to Hindu scriptures, the practice of General (‘sādhāraṇa’ or ‘sanātana’) Dharm often gets modified by considerations of the impact, place, occasion or time, situation, means adopted to accomplish the action, the status of whom we are dealing with, stakeholders etc. These factors are called Dharm-Nimitta or Dharm-Lakshana or Dharm-Kāraka Hetu, meaning that they are instrumental factors in determining the appropriateness or inappropriateness of Dharm/Karm. Numerous external factors can alter the moral worth or propriety of our actions. Examples of these external factors (mixed with some internal factors as well) provided by Hindu sacred texts are given below-

The following make Dharm manifest: desha (place), kāla (time), upāya (correct procedure), dravya (material good), shraddhā (faith), pātra (deserving beneficiary), tyāga (relinquishing one’s ownership). Shankha Likhita Dharmsūtra (quoted in Bhatta Lakshmidhara’s Krityakalpataru, Brahmachārikānda)'

At the right place and time, with the correct procedure (e.g., respectfully and with utterance of mantras), whatever appropriate gift is given with faith to a deserving beneficiary – all this is indicative of Dharm. Yājnavalkya Smriti 1.6

Hindu scriptures generally collapse these numerous constraints further into two main ones: Desha (location, region or country) and Kāla (time, or situation) -

In their scriptures dealing with Dharm, Artha and Kaama and Moksha too, the Sages have regarded ‘time’ and ‘place’ as the primary factors which humans should consider to achieve their goals. Mahabharata 12.135.22

The person, who examining the current significance of place and time, and applying his wisdom, acts in harmony with these alone gains the fruits of his aspirations. Mahabharata 12.135.23

The same deed can be considered as Adharm or Dharm depending upon the place and time in which it is done. Under certain circumstances, stealing, lying and violence are also considered as Dharm. Mahābhārata 12.36.11

Note that these factors are all external to the body and mind of the doer because they exist in the environment around him (time, place) and other living creatures or stakeholders.