Understanding Karma

Part One (Karmanta) of Understanding Karma is theoretically oriented and discusses the karmic frame of reference to the problems of everyday living in relation to the higher order of moral responsibility (dharma) as it is developed in the epic Mahabharata (which includes the Bhagavadgita). Using Paul Ricoeur's philosophical anthropology and hermeneutics, it is argued that in the epic view whatever the uncertainties of one's present condition ( daiva), the long-term destiny is subject to human initiative (purushartha). Part Two (Karmavyapara) analyzes reinterpretations of karma in the social, economic, cultural, and political contexts of Indians living in (1) modern India and (2) in the diaspora with reference to the works of (1) select thinkers and activists in India: Swami Vivekananda, Lokamanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi and (2) in diaspora: Flora Samuel (Israel), Sri Chinmoy (United States), Bhagwan Gidwani and Dr. Roopnarine Singh (Canada).