Introduction: The Karma Dilemma
Karma. It is one of the most discussed yet misunderstood spiritual concepts in the world. Every thought, action, and intention we produce is a karmic seed sown into the fabric of our destiny. Good karmas yield joy; bad karmas invite suffering. But as seekers, we naturally ask—Can we clear our karmas quickly? Can we accelerate liberation from karmic bondage? The answer lies not in superstition or shortcuts, but in the deep spiritual science revealed by Shree Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.
In a powerful discourse by Swami Mukundananda, titled “How to Clear Your Karmas Quickly? Shree Krishna Answers,” we are guided through Shree Krishna’s timeless teachings on karma, choice, and liberation. Let us explore this divine wisdom in depth, with verse-by-verse clarity and long reflective insights.
Understanding Free Will: The Power Behind Karma
Swamiji opens by reminding us of a critical spiritual truth: God has given us free will. This freedom of choice is what separates us from machines. At every moment, we have decisions to make—watch television or study the Bhagavad Gita, drink alcohol or meditate, indulge in pleasure or engage in spiritual practice. These choices shape our karmas. But why did God even give us free will if we misuse it?
Shree Krishna answers this in the Bhagavad Gita, asserting that free will is essential for love. Without choice, love becomes mechanical obedience. God wants us to choose Him willingly.
The Secret to Liberation from Karma: Bhagavad Gita 3.31
The central message of Swamiji’s talk is based on this profound verse:
ye me matam idaṁ nityam anutiṣhṭhanti mānavāḥ
śhraddhāvanto ’nasūyanto muchyante te ’pi karmabhiḥ
Bhagavad Gita 3.31
" Those who abide by these teachings of Mine, with profound faith and free from envy, are released from the bondage of karma."
Here, Shree Krishna gives us a clear formula for quick karmic liberation:
- Abide by His teachings (karm yog).
- Have unwavering faith.
- Remain free from envy or ego.
If we sincerely live by divine instructions, karma begins to dissolve. But this path requires inner conviction and consistent action, not passive belief.
Theory Alone Is Not Enough: The Donkey and the Sandalwood
Swamiji shares a metaphor: a donkey carrying a load of chandan (sandalwood) feels only the weight, not the fragrance. Similarly, many people read scriptures but do not apply them. Knowledge that does not result in action is barren intellect.
Shree Krishna strongly emphasizes action over mere intellectualism:
niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hyakarmaṇaḥ
śharīra-yātrāpi cha te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ
Bhagavad Gita 3.8
“You should thus perform your prescribed Vedic duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible.”
Thus, one clears karma not by escape or renunciation, but by spiritualizing everyday work—this is karm yog.
Why We Are Given Choice: Divine Design or Flaw?
Many question why God gives us free will if we use it to sin, indulge in sense pleasures, or even harm ourselves. But Shree Krishna never imposes. He gives knowledge, not compulsion. Even in His final message to Arjun, He says:
iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā
vimṛiśhyaitad aśheṣheṇa yathechchhasi tathā kuru
Bhagavad Gita 18.63
“Thus, I have explained to you this knowledge that is more secret than all secrets. Ponder over it deeply, and then do as you wish.”
Free will is not a flaw—it’s the foundation of spiritual maturity. Only with freedom can there be real surrender and devotion. It’s a test of love. Just like parents gradually allow children to make choices, even wrong ones, so they may learn, so does God.
Consequences of Misusing Free Will: Maya Strikes Back
Swamiji explains that misuse of free will leads us to Maya—God’s material energy. Maya is designed not to make us permanently happy, but to correct us. Every setback—illness, loss, heartbreak—is a message from God that we are choosing separation over unity.
The Ramayan describes it beautifully:
"vimukh padarath nahi sukha naahee"
Separated from God, there is no real happiness.
This aligns with Shree Krishna’s declaration:
yaḥ śhāstra-vidhim utsṛijya vartate kāma-kārataḥ
na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim
Bhagavad Gita 5.29
“Those who act under the impulse of desire, discarding the injunctions of the scriptures, attain neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme goal in life.”
Hence, clearing karma requires aligning our will with the Divine’s will. This is not suppression of desire, but elevation of desire—from ego-centered to God-centered.
True Religion Is Re-Union: The Real Meaning of Yog
Swamiji humorously notes the modern obsession with “yoga” as physical postures. But real yoga is the union of the soul with God. The Sanskrit word is “yog”—not stretching, but spiritual surrender.
Shree Krishna says:
yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam
Bhagavad Gita 2.50
“Yoga is excellence in action.”
When we perform our duties with detachment, for the pleasure of God, we are practicing karm yog—and that is the fastest way to burn karma.
Swamiji further explains: religion, or “re-ligion,” literally means “to re-link” the broken connection with God. True yoga is that which unites the soul with the Divine, no matter what path—bhakti, gyan, or karm.
The Human Birth: A Rare Gift for Karma Cleansing
Shree Ram gave only one sermon in His 11,000-year incarnation. In it, He said:
"sādhan dharm na pāvahi dehī, binu hari bhajan na tārī trāsī"
This human life is meant for devotion, and without loving God, one cannot cross the ocean of material suffering.
This aligns with Shree Krishna’s message that human birth is rare and sacred:
manuṣhyāṇāṁ sahasreṣhu kaśhchid yatati siddhaye
Bhagavad Gita 7.3
“Among thousands of men, one may strive for perfection.”
Human life gives us the unique opportunity to consciously choose God—and every such choice dissolves karmic chains.
Faith, Devotion, and Non-Envy: The Core Attitude to Burn Karma
Returning to Bhagavad Gita 3.31, Shree Krishna stresses the need for faith (śhraddhā), humility, and absence of envy. Why envy? Because it comes from ego—thinking we know better than God.
śhraddhāvānllabhate jñānaṁ tat-paraḥ sanyatendriyaḥ
jñānaṁ labdhvā parāṁ śhāntim achireṇādhigachchhati
Bhagavad Gita 4.39
“ Those whose faith is deep and who have practiced controlling their mind and senses attain divine knowledge. Through such transcendental knowledge, they quickly attain everlasting supreme peace.”
Faith is not passive belief—it is dynamic trust, shown through practice. When we follow Shree Krishna’s teachings with reverence and commitment, our karma begins to unravel.
Not a One-Time Surrender, But a Moment-to-Moment Choice
A powerful insight Swamiji shares is this: spiritual surrender is not a one-time act. Saying “I surrendered to God five years ago” is not enough. Every moment, we’re offered choices—thoughts, reactions, decisions—and every one is a fresh opportunity to choose God.
Shree Krishna urges:
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ
Bhagavad Gita 18.66
“Abandon all varieties of duties and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.”
This is the ultimate karmic cleanser—complete surrender, with every breath, decision, and emotion dedicated to Him.
We Are Not Doomed by Karma—We Are Empowered by It
One of the most hopeful aspects of this lecture is Swamiji’s assurance: we are not stuck in our past karmas. Each moment is a new karmic opportunity. You don’t need to run away to a cave or renounce the world. Just align your actions with dharma and devotion, and karma dissolves.
Swami Vivekananda echoed the same when he said:
“These prophets were not unique. They were men like us who attained superconsciousness—and we can do the same.”
Karma is not a prison; it's a path. If walked with Shree Krishna as the guide, it leads to moksha (liberation).
Final Thoughts: Karma Ends Where God Begins
The message is as clear as it is liberating: to clear your karmas fast, live by Krishna’s teachings with devotion and faith. Don’t wait for a crisis. Don’t wait for old age. Start now. The Gita is not merely a book; it is a spiritual instruction manual, and Shree Krishna’s voice is available to you in every verse.
🔔 Call to Action: Take the Next Step
If these teachings stirred your heart, don’t stop here.
📺 Subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube Channel for daily guidance rooted in the Bhagavad Gita and Vedic wisdom.
📖 Start reading the Bhagavad Gita today at holy-bhagavad-gita.org. Read the verses. Contemplate their meaning. Apply them to your life.
Your karma can be cleared. Not through shortcuts, but through surrender, service, and spiritual strength. Shree Krishna is waiting—not to judge you, but to uplift you. Choose Him.