In ancient VEDIC tradition karma (action) simply referred to the Vedic rites. Indian philosophy often contrasts the karma kanda (action aspect) of tradi-tion with its jnana kanda (knowledge aspect). Later, the term karma came to refer to the “law of action.” According to this ethical concept, the actions or karmas of individuals in their current births shape their lives in their next births. Finally, in the con-text of the BHAGAVAD GITA, karma yoga refers to a YOGA of action in the world without regard to its fruits. Mohandas Karamchand GANDHI made the term karma yoga well known, as his political actions were all undertaken under this name. The Indian traditions of Hinduism, JAINISM, Buddhism, and SIKHISM all accept the notion of karma.
Further reading: C. F. Keyes and E. Valentine Daniel, Karma: An Anthropological Inquiry (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983); Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty, ed., Karma and Rebirth in Classical Indian Traditions (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1980).
Encyclopedia of Hinduism. A. Jones and James D. Ryan. 2007.