‘As you sow, so shall you reap’ sums up the law of Karma, the universal Hindu law of cause and effect that holds a person responsible for his or her actions and effects. Karma means human action or deed; we are constantly performing karmas whether physically, mentally or emotionally. A person’s karma is responsible for good or bad consequences in his or her life. Good actions produce happiness and bad actions lead to suffering and misery in the present or next life. A person’s past actions govern his present, and his present actions have an effect on his future. This means that every person is to a certain degree, the creator of his own destiny. Using karma as a set of powerful guidelines for your life can incentivize you to be more mindful of your thoughts, actions and deeds before you make decisions.

Dharma is the foundation of life, an all-inclusive term for righteousness, morality, religion, responsibility and duty.

Dharma has three branches -

1. Social Dharma or Varna Dharma that represents both religious laws and the harmonious order of families, communities, cities and nations which is maintained by individuals adhering to and undertaking the correct responsibilities, duties and occupations. India’s caste system, for example, relates directly to varna dharma as it’s believed that accumulated karma determines social class which in turn determines the professional path individuals are supposed to follow.

2. Human Law or Ashrama Dharma that is the four distinctive life stages in which the body, mind and soul naturally evolve throughout life.

3. Self-Dharma or Sva-Dharma represents an actionable life path that is in accordance with an individual’s own nature. This is determined by the karma an individual accumulates throughout many lifetimes and consists of their rights, duties and roles that are in harmony with cosmic order. To adhere to one’s own self-dharma, individuals want to fully utilize their unique talents and skills while acting in adherence with their social class and age.

It is believed that an individual will eventually achieve liberation by living their dharma over many lifetimes, making it the most important aim of life. The practice of dharma gives happiness, strength and tranquility within one's self and makes life disciplined.