When one commits wrong actions against the virtuous and holy beings, knowingly or unknowingly, it is known as Sadhu Apachara. This is the main cause of human misery, says the Bhagavata purana and many narratives illustrate the consequences arising from this lapse and also show how to atone for such sins. The righteous Parikshit commits a sin and he undergoes prayaschitta for this by listening to Suka’s narration of the Bhagavata Purana. The tendency to commit wrongs is inbuilt in human nature as all beings are held under the spell of Maya. Maya includes karma, habits, tendencies and actions. These prevent one from nearing God, and realising his own atma swaroopa. It is by working out one’s karma according to the law of one’s nature that one can hope to overcome this spell and proceed towards enlightenment, pointed out Swami Paramasukananda in a discourse. The world is so complex and wonderful and each being is endowed with faculties and senses with which an individual is constantly interacting. Every human birth is occasioned by karma; and it is karma that can help one to nullify its effects. Both good and bad are very much part of life. Just as snake venom extract is used to purge the effect of snake bite, karma becomes the effective path to overcome samsara. This happens when karma is converted into karma yoga. What is the gain one should expect from one’s actions in life? With single pointedness one has to dedicate every moment of one’s life for God’s sake and try to avoid being self-centered and worldly minded. This is the way to attain the long term end which is salvation. The Pandavas always had Krishna as their friend and guide. Andal calls upon people to dedicate everything only for God’s sake. One may be a grihasta or a recluse. But the focus has to be God at all times.
