Akarm (अकर्म)

Akarm means action performed without egoistic attachment to doership or desire for personal reward. Such action does not bind the soul in karmic reaction.

Akarm (अकर्म | akarma) refers to actions that do not create additional karmic bondage.

According to Shri Maharaj Ji, Akarm includes actions performed while maintaining bhakti of God. Although actions may continue externally, they do not bind the soul in the same way as ordinary karm because the mind remains attached to God rather than the world.

What It Means

Akarm can take two forms:

Karm Yog

The first form of Akarm is Karm Yog.

In Karm Yog, a person continues performing prescribed duties and worldly responsibilities while keeping the mind attached to God. This was the path taught by Shri Krishn to Arjun in the Bhagavad Gita.

The body remains engaged in action, but the mind remains absorbed in God.

Because bhakti of God is present, such actions do not produce ordinary karmic bondage.

Karm Sannyas

The second form of Akarm is Karm Sannyas.

In Karm Sannyas, one renounces social and Vedic duties and performs only those actions necessary for maintaining the body. The mind remains engaged in loving remembrance of Shri Krishn.

Like Karm Yog, Karm Sannyas includes bhakti of God and therefore does not create ordinary karmic bondage.

A Practical Illustration

Shri Maharaj Ji explains that the highest expression of Karm Yog can be seen in the Gopis after the Maharaas.

When Shri Krishn instructed them to return home, they resumed their ordinary household activities. However, those activities were no longer performed for worldly purposes. Their actions were performed solely to please Shri Krishn.

Externally, duties continued.

Internally, their minds remained completely attached to God.

This is the essence of Akarm.