upakara | उपकार
upakara (Devanagari: उपकार; ISO 15919: upakāra) means benevolence, or the act of rendering help and benefit.
Since living beings have a divine soul (jiva) and a material body the benevolence is categorized into two types:
- Towards the jiva: Benevolence that aids in the ultimate spiritual welfare.
- Towards the Body: Benevolence aimed at the material betterment, comfort, or well-being of the physical body.
Key Distinction: Only God (Hari) and the Spiritual Master (Guru) can truly render upakara of the jiva.
Also written as upkaar