In Hindu philosophy, karma remains exceptionally central to the human condition as well as widely misunderstood. In the Western context, karma is often simplified into phrases such as "what goes around comes around," which do little justice to the real meaning, much larger and of far-reaching implications. One of the major areas that seekers of deeper understanding of Hinduism or their own endowments to its practices must comprehend well is the genuine meaning of karma.

The Essence of Karma

The word karma emerges from the Sanskrit term kri, which means "to do" or "to act". Simply put, karma is deliberate behavior shaped physically, intellectually, or verbally by the person. One of Hinduism most venerated texts is the Bhagavad Gita, which notes:

The Bhagavad Gita 2: 47 says's Your right is to do your work, but not to the fruits of it. Be neither motivated by the fruits of your actions, nor inclined towards inaction.

This verse nullifies the common misconception that karma is all reward and punishment. It is, rather, a complex spiritual doctrine controlling the moral order in the universe.

Karma as Cosmic Accounting 

According to the Upanishads, karma is a law of cause and result. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad also mentions (4.4.5):

As a person acts, so he becomes. As is his desire, so is his deed; as is his deed, so is his destiny.  Unlike divine judgment in some traditions, karma is impersonal, more like gravity in that it does not judge. Actions create their reactions not because they are judged but because the universe has to maintain a moral equilibrium. Chandogya Upanishad 5.10.7 says that those who act with pure intention travel towards enlightenment and those acting with impure motives face continued rebirth.

Three Types of Karma 

According to Hindu philosophy, what are known as karma can be divided primarily into three:

Sanchita Karma (accumulated karma): total accumulation of actions from all past lives; like a karmic "bank account." 

Prarabdha Karma (destiny): the portion of Sanchita Karma which is actively influencing the circumstances in your life right now-what you're experiencing now as the fruit of past actions. 

Agami Karma (current karma): the karma being created now by actions taken in the present, an action that shall bear fruit in this or in future lives.

According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (2:12-14), situations will arise at particular times, allowing dormant karmic impressions to manifest themselves into birth circumstances, lifespan, and experiences.

Beyond Simple Reward and Punishment 

Bhagavad Gita teaches that action carried out with no attachment to result purifies consciousness with time.
As the lotus is unsoiled by water, one who performs his job without attachment and offering the outcomes unto the Supreme Lord is unaffected by sinful action.
Karma is not punishment but a chance for spiritual development. A statement by the Vivekachudamani, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, summarizes:

The body is the vehicle for experiencing karma. The mind is the driver of this vehicle; sense organs are the reins, and sense objects are the path on which it travels. (Verse 92)

Absolution from Karma
Knowledge about karma in relation to moksha (liberation) is important for the seeker intending to walk along the path of Hindu spiritual practices. The Mundaka Upanishad (2.2.8) states:

When one realizes the Self, the knot of the heart is loosened, all doubts vanish, and one's karma is neutralized.

And karma is perhaps not avoiding action. It means acting without attachment to ego.

Karma yoga explained in the Bhagavad Gita liberates by selfless action in small measure.

The wise who perform actions without attachment; abandoning all attachment to results, attain Supreme Peace. (Bhagavad Gita 5:12)

Putting This into Practice 

For one who wishes to incorporate this wisdom:

 Act with an awareness of the consequences, not through fear
Concentrate on the quality of the action itself rather than the outcome
Remain unattached to anticipation of the results while putting in a determined effort
Look at resistance in unfavorable situations, and as stepping stones for growth rather than a punishment
Reflect upon and regularly ask oneself, what motivates me to act?

An insight about the great wisdom of karma encourages an appreciation of the empowerment one has to shape their own destiny along with the growing compassion towards oneself and to others whose are on their karmic journey.