 Karma' literally means action or doing. Any kind of intentional action whether mental, verbal, or physical, is regarded as Karma. It covers all that is included in the phrase "thought, word and deed". Generally speaking, all good and bad action constitutes Karma. In its ultimate sense Karma means all moral and immoral volition. Involuntary, unintentional or unconscious actions, though technically deeds, do not constitute Karma, because volition, the most important factor in determining Karma, is absent.
Karma
The word 'karma', from the Sanskrit root 'kri', signifies action or deed, whether physical or mental (including thought). Karma is the sum total of our acts, both in the present life and preceding ones. Karma means not only the action but also the result of the action. The consequence is really not a separate thing, but is a part of the action.
Wherever there is a cause, an effect must be produced. A seed is a cause for the tree, which is the effect. The tree produces seeds, and become the cause for the seeds. The cause is found in the effect and the effect is found in the cause. The effect is similar to the cause. This is the universal chain of cause and effect which has no end.
There is no such thing as blind chance or accident. If your finite mind is not able to find the cause of an event, it doesn't mean that this is accidental. Everything in nature obeys this law of cause and effect.
The law of causation including the law of action and reaction, the law compensation, and the law of retribution- all come under one general heading: the Doctrine of Karma.
The Law of Action and Reaction
If there is an action, there must be reaction. The reaction will be of equal force and of similar nature. Every thought, desire, imagination, sentiment causes reaction. Virtue brings own reward; vice brings its own punishment. This is the law of reaction. It is their own karma that brings reward and/or punishment. No one is to be blamed.
This law operates everywhere with unceasing precision and scientific accuracy. The law of action and reaction operates both in the physical and mental planes.
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