In scriptures like the Vedas, Shastras and Puranas, it is said that the fruits of sins and merits have to be experienced by the person and unless they are experienced, the Karma component is not destroyed. We also come across statements which say 'with the help of Jnana, one can get rid of Karma without actually experiencing them'. Which statement is true? We were discussing this point in the previous lesson. We had discussed the strength of these statements with respect to the given context. It was shown that the first statement holds good with respect to observing one's duties in the ordinary sense and that the second statement would hold good when explaining the importance of Jnana in destroying ignorance and Karma. Thus, the context of observing one's karmas as well as the context of overriding all karmas - were discussed.

How many types of karmas are there? How many types of performers are there? This is our present discussion. Let us continue from where we had left.

Three types of Karma:
Karmas are of three types. Paapa (sinful), Punya (meritorious) and Mishra (mixed). The forms of beings such as Devatas (angels) come as a result of pure Punya karmas. The forms of animals come from Paapa Karmas. The human form comes as a result of Mishra (mixed) karmas.

There are three sub classifications in the above three namely, superlative, average and ordinary.

For example, the forms of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara, Hiranyagarbha etc., are as a result of superlative Punya Karmas. The forms of Indra etc., are the result of average Punya Karma. The forms of other lesser celestial beings (like Yaksha, Kinnara etc.) are as a result of ordinary Punya Karma.

Poisonous plants, thorny plants, snake, scorpion, carnivorous animals etc., are as a result of superlative Paapa Karmas. Trees like mango, banana, animals like donkey, buffalo are examples of the results of average Paapa Karma. Forms such as the banyan tree, Tulsi plant, animals such as cow, elephant etc., are examples of the results of ordinary Paapa Karmas.

Let us understand about the mixed variety. The human form (birth) endowed with the instruments and attitudes required for attaining liberation comes as the result of superlative Mishra Karmas. The human form endowed with attitudes which help the person to undertake rituals and sacrifices which help him in good pursuits (other than spiritual pursuit) is the result of average Mishra Karma. The human form endowed with the tendency of harming others is the result of ordinary Mishra Karma.
One thing becomes clear from this classification. We are in the human form because we have performed Mishra type of Karma in the past. Now we must examine for ourselves as to what kinds of actions are we engaged in. If we are in the inferior stage, we must try to ascend to the average grade and if we are in the average level, we must strive to reach the superlative level. This is the purpose of discussing the different grades of karma.

From the above discussion, it is clear that there are nine kinds of Karma. Who is the performer? Analyse your experiences and try to figure out!