Understanding Karma

Valmiki, before he took to ascetic life, was a bandit. He was motivated by the Saptharishis (the Seven Sages) to check if his family was willing to share his negative karmas. Valmiki’s family told him, ‘It is your duty to protect us and fulfill our material needs. We cannot accept your karmas.’

As long as someone plays the role of a dutiful father or mother, fulfilling one’s duties through whatever means one deems fit, karmas do not get passed on to one’s descendants.

Then why is it said that ‘the sins of the fathers visit upon the children?’ The subject of discussion now is of the harm done to others by the ancestors. It is said that if a person has chosen a wrong path to cater to his future generations, wounded others and earned their bad will, the resulting heartache will affect seven further generations.

So, as long as it is hard earned money, I do not think it will create any bad karma for the descendants. But if it is tainted money, it may - - not because of the money; but because of the karma accrued.

Being yourself is definitely not wrong so long as you do not hurt others or yourself.