Dharma, Karma and Reincarnation — The Vedic Worldview Explained

The three pillars of the Vedic worldview: Dharma (right action), Karma (consequence), and Samsara (cycle of rebirth).

Dharma — Your Sacred Duty

Dharma derives from the root 'dhr' (to hold, to sustain). It is the principle that holds reality together. At the cosmic level, Dharma is the natural order. At the individual level, it is your unique duty — arising from your nature, your stage of life, your role, and your highest potential. The Bhagavad Gita's central question is always: what is the dharmic action in this situation?

Karma — The Law of Consequence

Karma (action) operates with the precision of physics: every action creates an impression (samskara) that must eventually bear fruit. Karma is not punishment or reward — it is simply the continuation of cause and effect across time. Three types: Sanchita (accumulated karma from all lives), Prarabdha (karma ripening in this lifetime), and Kriyamana (karma being created now through present choices).

Samsara and Moksha

Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by karma and desire. The Vedic tradition holds that this cycle continues until all karma is exhausted and the nature of the Atman is fully recognised. Moksha (liberation) is not a heaven to be reached but a recognition of what was always the case: the Atman was never bound, only apparently so.