The Law of Karma and the vidyā of Jyotiṣa (Vedic Astrology) represent two pillars of Vedic Sānatana Dharma, offering a profound framework for understanding the intricacies of human existence. Karma functions as a universal, impartial law of cause and effect, while Jyotiṣa serves as a deeply insightful lens through which we can see how karma unfolds in an individual's life. The birth chart, or Janma Kuṇḍali, is a details the specific karmic framework and lessons a soul has chosen to navigate in its current incarnation. 

More Than "What Goes Around Comes Around"

The term Karma is derived from the Sanskrit root kṛ, which means "action" or "deed". Within Vedic philosophy, it is defined not merely as a mechanical law of action and reaction but as a sophisticated system where an individual's intent and actions influence their future. This crucial distinction elevates Karma beyond a simple physical causality. The executed action is known as karma, while the activity or effort involved in the action is called kriyā. A physical action never precedes a mental one; it is the intention (bhāva) and attitude of the actor that determines the nature of the karma generated. 

For example, a person might perform the kriyā of donating money to charity. If the intention is selfless and compassionate, it creates positive karma. Conversely, if the intention is to garner public praise or tax benefits, the karma generated is of a different, less purifying nature.

The law of Karma serves a dual purpose. It acts as a powerful moral and ethical engine, encouraging individuals to lead a virtuous life (Dharma), as morally good acts inevitably lead to positive consequences while bad acts produce negative results. It also provides a logical explanation for the seemingly random suffering and inequality observed in the world. The circumstances of a person's life, including their physical body, family, and environment, are considered to be the result of actions performed in this or previous lifetimes. This reframes suffering not as arbitrary punishment but as a consequence of one's own past actions, placing the responsibility squarely on the individual.4 While the system is described as an "ingrained equation built into creation" that is largely deterministic, the unique ability of human beings to exercise conscious choice (Kriyā Shakti) allows them to influence their future destiny, highlighting the dynamic tension between fate and free will in the relative experience lying over Eternity.

The Tapestry of Existence: Karma, Samsāra, and Transmigration

Karma is intricately linked to the concept of Saṃsāra, the endless cycle of death and rebirth. Saṃsāra, which translates to "wandering," describes the soul's journey through successive lives. Karma is the primary engine of this cycle, as it determines the circumstances and even the life form into which the soul will be reborn. For instance, a life lived with virtuous intent and actions is believed to lead to rebirth in a more favorable circumstance, while a life of negative intent and deeds can lead to a lower form of existence.

The mechanism by which Karma is carried across lifetimes is through the subtle, psychological impressions known as Saṃskāras and Vāsanas. Every action, thought, and deed leaves a deep, latent impression on the soul, a kind of karmic residue. These impressions accompany the soul as it transmigrates, shaping its innate character, tendencies, and predispositions in the new life. 

These Saṃskāras are the reason for "unexplained talents or challenges" and why certain desires or habits feel so deeply ingrained. The entire process forms a powerful, multi-lifetime causal loop: actions performed in a past life (karma) leave behind subconscious impressions (Saṃskāras), which are carried into the current life and manifest as innate tendencies and predispositions. These tendencies then influence the choices and actions an individual makes in the present moment (Kriyamāṇa), which in turn create new karmic seeds (Āgāmi) that will ripen in the future. 

This cyclical flow demonstrates that a person's present is not a clean slate but a direct product of their past, and their present choices are the very force that will weave the tapestry of their future.

The Four Major Karmic Accounts

Karma is traditionally classified into four major types, which together form a dynamic and interconnected system.

1. Sañcita Karma (The Accumulated Reservoir): This is the total sum of all actions and their corresponding results accumulated across all past lives. It is a vast, undifferentiated storehouse of karmic potential, akin to a massive library of books or a stockpile of arrows. It is considered impossible to experience all of one's Sañcita Karma in a single lifetime.

2. Prārabdha Karma (The Destiny-in-Motion): This is the portion of the Sañcita Karma that has ripened and is destined to manifest in the current life. Prārabdha is responsible for shaping one's present circumstances, including the physical body, family, and major life events. It is compared to an arrow that has already been released from the bow, already in flight toward its target. It cannot be recalled, and its consequences must be endured.

3. Kriyamāṇa Karma (The Karma of the Present): Also known as Vartamana, this is the karma being actively created in the present moment through one's conscious actions, thoughts, and words. This is the realm of relative free will, where an individual has the power to make new choices that will shape their future. It is the act of drawing a new arrow from the quiver.

4. Āgāmi Karma (The Karma of the Future): This is the fruit of the Kriyamāṇa actions that will ripen in the future. It is the newly acquired karma, represented by the arrows being collected for future use. The results of Āgāmi karma may manifest later in the current life or be deferred to future incarnations.

The profound interplay among these types is fundamental to the framework. Sañcita is the vast potential, from which Prārabdha is extracted as the active, fixed destiny for the current life. The individual's conscious actions in the present (Kriyamāṇa) create new karmic seeds (Āgāmi) that are then added back into the Sañcita reservoir, shaping the circumstances of future births. This system demonstrates that while a person's present is a reflection of past actions (Prārabdha), their future is determined by the choices they make in the here and now (Kriyamāṇa).

The Three Levels of Fixedness: Dridha, Adridha, and Dridhādridha

The concept of karmic fixedness provides a nuanced view of the relationship between destiny and relative free will.

1. Dridha Karma (Fixed): These are karmic patterns that are intentional and deliberate from past lives and are now so deeply ingrained that they are unchangeable. These aspects of destiny must be experienced and cannot be altered, no matter the effort. Examples include the fundamental circumstances of one's life, such as the level of wealth or poverty, the family of origin, or intellectual capacities. The birth chart reflects these fixed events.

2. Adridha Karma (Workable): This category includes karmas that are not yet fixed and can be altered through conscious effort and free will. These are often karmas resulting from unintentional or accidental past actions. A relatable example is a person who struggles with a subject like mathematics; through conscious effort, they can overcome this difficulty, thereby changing this particular aspect of their karma.

3. Dridhādridha Karma (Mixed): This is a combination of fixed and workable karma. These are karmic patterns that are challenging and difficult to alter but can be influenced by intense effort and, crucially, by divine grace or the guidance of a spiritually evolved being.

This classification is a vital tool for the application of Jyotiṣa. It moves beyond a completely fatalistic worldview by providing a framework to differentiate between aspects of life that require acceptance and wisdom and those that are fertile ground for conscious action.

The Birth Chart (Janma Kuṇḍali): A Map of Prārabdha Karma

Within the framework of Sānatana Dharma, the Janma Kundali, or birth chart, is considered to be a precise and detailed map of an individual's karmic destiny. At the exact moment and location of birth, the planets in the solar system form a unique arrangement. This cosmic snapshot is not seen as a random event, but rather as a direct reflection of the soul's Prārabdha karma—the specific set of experiences and lessons that must be worked out in this lifetime. The birth chart highlights the individual's past, present, and future karmas that guide their lived experience. With this awareness one can more easily surrender to the flow of life with greater ease and understanding. The powerful teaching from the great sage Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi points to this very clearly when he spoke the following words.

""The Ordainer controls the fate of souls in accordance with their past deeds - their prarabdha karma. Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen, try hard how you may. Whatever is destined to happen will happen, do what you may to stop it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is for one to be silent."