162 Raja-vidya: The King of Knowledge
to activities which have no reaction at ali. In the
executicn of akarmic activities, there may appear to
be some reactions, but in actuality there are not.
When we work under the directions of Krsna, this is
actually the case—there are no reactions. If we take
it upon ourselves to kill someone, we are subject to
capital punishment by the state government. Our
actions are then called vikarma, for they are against
prescribed actions. If, however, the government
drafts us into the army, and we engage in battle and
kill someone, we do not suffer the reactions, and
this is called akarma. In the one case we are acting
according to our own whims, and in the other we are
acting under the direction of the government.
Similarly, when we act under the direction of Krsna,
our actions performed are called akarma, for that
kind of activity has no reaction.

karmany akarma yah pasyed

akarmani ca karma yah
sa buddhiman manusyesu
sa yuktah krtsne-karma-krt

“One who sees inaction in action, and action in
inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the
transcendental position, although engaged in all
sorts of activities.” (Bg. 4.18)

One who can actually see that despite activities
there are no karmic reactions, who understands the
nature of akarma, actually sees things as they are.
The word akarmani refers to one who is trying to
avoid the reactions of karma. By dovetailing his
activities in Krsna consciousness, although one may
