Comment/Reaction on Karma

by Alberto M. Aquino Jr.

           Karma is a Hindu religion practical term which means "the personal accountability and responsibility of an individual for his own actions and deeds as well as words done or spoken in this world. Mohan Lal is the main character of this story and was the object of karma. He was a law student in western country, particularly Europe, and successfully passed the examination for law students and by passing those exam, he became a licensed and professional lawyer, as a graduate of western country he became proud, boastful and conceited, though his true identity is an Indian, he idolized foreign language, culture and behavior. He acted as a true Englishman and behave as an Englishman. He even discriminate his own country and forsake his identity as an Indian, he was not interested in his wife and considered her as a useless servant. Mohan Lal's attitude shows that he was really well-colonized and brainwashed by foreign cultures and way of life, but at the end of the day Mohan Lal's pride brought him low and in the path to downfall because he was badly treated by the British people (true Englishman) and considered Mohan Lal as an inferior being compared to them (the British people) despite of Mohan Lal's background as a lawyer.

          This story (karma) put much emphasis on prejudice and pride that's why I would like also to put more consideration on this issue, let's start with prejudice. Prejudice is an act of putting a person into shameful conditions or looking down a person through words and deeds. It starts when you regard yourself as a man superior to other beings (man), prejudice creates a barrier that separates  people and it is the main reason of most revolution. great potential is wasted because of prejudice. Mohan Lal enjoyed the power and prestige of his position, and he was enraged when someone did not respond with the expected reverential bow. Mohan Lal's attitude was prejudiced: he hated a group of people because of a difference in belief or culture. Prejudice grows out of personal pride -- considering oneself better than others. In the end, Mohan Lal suffered for his arrogant attitude. God will harshly judge those who prejudiced or whose pride causes them to look down on others. Prejudice can cause us to lose great blessings and can blind us to the truth. Now let's go to the issue of pride. Pride is a poison that gradually kills your desire to respect and love other people, it is an illness that makes you vulnerable to open attacks from foolish people. Pride causes us to want recognition. Mohan Lal's growing pride started out small -- taking credit for the education he attained from Europe, left unchecked, his pride grew into an ugly obsession; thus it destroyed him, tore his family apart, and threatened the well-being of his own physical, social, emotional, and mental health. Taking much credit for your accomplishments indicates that pride is controlling your life. It is not bad to take credit of your own accomplishments, but the bad thing happens when you focus on your accomplishments and think highly of yourself, then regard others as an inferior beings. When it happens, the mark of downfall begins -- pride. "Pride goes before destruction" (Proverbs 16:18) is an appropriate comment on Mohan Lal's ambitions, after he attained his educational status as a lawyer, Mohan Lal became proud and corrupt. It is true that "pride goes before destruction" (Proverbs 16:18). If God has given you wealth, influence, power, and popularity, be thankful, but be careful. God hates pride. While it is normal to feel elation when we accomplish something, it is wrong to be disdainful of God or to look down on others.  Check your attitude and remember to give God the credit for what you have. Use your gifts in ways that please Him. Pride is especially deceptive when we are doing right. But it separates us from God by making us think we're better than we really are. Then comes the tendency to trust our own opinions, which leads to other kinds of sin. While it is not wrong to recount past deeds, it is far better to recount God's blessings to us. This will help keep us from inadvertently falling into pride. "I was wrong" or " I need advice" are difficult phrases to utter because they require humility. Pride is an ingredient in every quarrel. It stirs up conflicts and divides people. Humility, by contrast, heals. Guard against pride. If you find yourself constantly arguing, examine your life for pride. Be open to the advice of others, ask for help when you need it, and be willing to admit your mistakes. Pride or insecurity can cause us to overvalue position and prestige.

             Prejudice starts with pride and pride ends up in prejudice, this is the relationship of prejudice and pride, they (prejudice and pride) are inseparable and indivisible, but both are a dangerous element for downfall and destruction. So be careful and guard yourself against prejudice and pride, so that Mohan Lal's fate will not happen to you.