Svaamii Brahmaananda Sarasvatii Mahaaraaj, Shrii Guru Deva, Jagad-guru Bhagavaan
Shankaraacaarya of Jyotir MaTha, Himaalayas (Maharishi Mahesh Yogin Mestari):
The effects of the actions of a brief time are endured for a long time.
Consequently the actions of one lifetime cannot be finished and can result in
suffering in another lifetime...
Until such time as the heap of actions is finished then it will befall you to
return again and again inside a womb in order to live again. Consequently having
obtained this human life you should deal with this heap of karma.
The Shastras have divided actions into three types and explained the means to
accomplish these tasks.
These karmas are the three divisions -
sanchita (collected karma),
prarabdha (already commenced karma) and
kriyamana (work now being done).
Sanchita (collected karma) is limitless. This [accumulated karma] cannot be
dealt with by experience. The way to deal with [such karma] is by obtaining
gyaan (knowledge) or by endless bhakti (devotion) to the feet of Bhagwan.
One has to experience the karma that has already begun, there is no other way:
" avashyameva bhoktavyaM kR^itaM karmaM shubhaashubham "
'One has to endure the consequences of one's karma, both virtuous and sinful'
By offering our kriyamana karma (current action) to Bhagwan there is no reason
for it to be binding. In this way, by the method of burning the sanchita karma
(accumulated action) in the fire of knowledge, experiencing prarabdha karma
(action already begun) and dedicating kriyamana karma (current action) to
Bhagwan - one will be liberated from being bound, and really find moksha (final
liberation, beatitude, redemption, absolution, salvation, freedom).
If the reason that acquisition of knowledge is delayed is because one's sadhana
(spiritual practice) is neglected, then little-by-little offer your kriyamana
karma to Bhagwan. Acting in this manner, there will be no reason for the karma
of this life to be binding.
Along with this thought be strong for the prarabdha karma which you will endure,
which even the learned cannot escape. Therefore you should come with willingness
to the suffering, with endurance and heroism. It is also necessary not to give
up courage.
Make no mistake, by this method is happiness gained. By doing this there will be
an accumulation of punya (meritous) karma, and both this world and the next
world will be prepared.
~~ Shri Shankaracharya UpadeshAmrita kaNa 6 of 108
from Paul Mason:
http://www.paulmason.info/gurudev/upadesh.htm
