Action in Knowledge of Krsna 101

of the world and yet be bound to material activity.
So it is not the action itself which is important but
the consciousness in which the action is carried out.

karmano hy api boddhavyam
boddhavyam ca vikarmanah

akarmanas ca boddhavyam
gahana karmano gatih

“The intricacies of action are very hard to under-
stand. Therefore one should know properly what
action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction
is.” (Bg. 4.17)

The path of karma is very intricate; therefore we
should understand the distinctions between karma,
akarma and vikarma. If we simply engage in Krsna
consciousness, everything becomes clear. Otherwise
we will have to make distinctions between what we
should do.and what we should not do in order not
to become entangled. In the ordinary course of
life we unknowingly break some law and have to
suffer the consequences. Similarly, the laws of
nature are very strict and stringent, and they accept
no excuse. It is a law of nature that fire burns, and
even if a child touches it, he will be burned despite
his ignorance and innocence. Thus we have to choose
our course of action very carefully lest the stringent
laws of nature react to bind us to suffering. It is
therefore necessary to understand what work to do
and what work to avoid.

The word karma refers to prescribed duties. The
word vikarma refers to activities which are against
one’s prescribed duties. And the word akarma refers
