Karma is a boomerang!

Since time immemorial, humanity had conceived a ubiquitous word which collectively indicates its actions, whether it be a generally accepted action or  otherwise.     Called 'Karma', it appears whenever someone deviates from accepted behavior.    People who argue that it was against their will would try to persuade the so-called offender to honor karma.   If not, Karma would serve its menu, they say. 

This little story goes a long way to explain Karma.  Once a learned man had to cross a younger stream.  'Namaste', a smiling ferryman humbly greeted the scholar and offered a ride across the stream.  While they were sailing, the 'omniscient' man started questioning the boatman, "Have you read the greatest epic of all times, the Ramayana?".  The illiterate ferryman nodded his head in denial and said, " Aiyah (Boss), I have never ventured to school. Hence, know-how on epics is nil".  The learned man did not accept his reply.  He said, " You have wasted a quarter of your precious life now!".  He went about questioning him with sheer arrogance, " Have you gone through the enlightening Mahabharata".  'No my lord! How it is possible for someone who has not stepped into school".  The scholar left a guffaw and said, " So, now you have spoiled half of your lifetime by not attempting to learn the epics".   The ferryman smiled and kept his silence.   Irritated by his contented looks, the arrogant man fired yet another question, " Have you at least read the Upanishad?.  The ferryman never lost his cool.  " Sorry! My reply will not convince you Sir! I accept my defeat".  " Ahem! Now you have wasted three-fourth of your precious lifetime".    The boat that was hitherto sailing smoothly suddenly started  shaking.  A rapid had erupted in the stream and the ferry was about to capsize in minutes.  The ferryman realized the danger and quickly asked if the scholar knows to swim.  " OMG! That's the only thing I never learnt".   Ferryman replied, " OMG! Now you will lose your entire life".  Before the scholar could realize his folly, the boat capsized.  In a good Samaritan gesture, the ferryman saved him.

This simple story explicitly brings out the role of so called Karma.  Whether one believes in karmic actions or not, let the word Karma continue to do wonders!