Once in a lively village, there was a crew of folks who practically glowed with pride over their shiny possessions, job titles, and, let’s face it, their overall “success.” Their ringleader? A guy named Mandana Mishra. Now, if you asked him, he’d tell you he owed it all to "Karma" and “Gratitude.”
But let’s just say, his idea of “Karma” had some… unique twists.
We all know that Karma-Marga in Hinduism is supposed to be about finding liberation through Dharma (aka, doing the right thing). Dharma = Righteousness !
But Mandana? He’d turned “Karma” into his personal slogan.He accepted all material gains that came his way as a fulfillment of his desire for power, wealth, sex, essentially using the word "Karma" to justify his cravings without questioning whether he was truly following the path of Dharma.
He was even known to chant, "Karmeva Jayate, Karmeva Jayate," as if Karma alone could balance his drive for sex, wealth, power and even liberation, you know that for Mandana, Karma equaled anything that could satisfy his desires for wealth, power, and sex.
Now, if you’ve heard about Adi Shankara's epic debate with Mandana Mishra, you know where this is going. For Mandana, Karma was a cover-up for any craving: sex, money, influence—if he wanted it, Karma supposedly delivered.
But Adi Shankara argued that true liberation doesn’t come from these desires—it emerges from selfless love, one that exists without the demands of wealth, sex, power, or personal gain. Where expectations exist, so too does desire.
So, quick question: How many of us have Mandana Mishra inside us, believing our desires are just Karma in disguise?
The Debate !
My dear friends, remember that Gratitude is a choice. Let’s not use Gratitude and Karma as a means to justify desires for sex, wealth, or power.
As for Mandana's Followers like testing - In 2018 March, I was offered a job tied to the expectation of sex, an offer I’ve consistently refused.
Rights were kept for negotiation. Karmeva Jayate....
Despite my rejections, they persist in reintroducing it, in their pursuit of sexual desires ; and they are giving it a name called Karma.
When I turn them down, they suggest I should express Gratitude.
Gratitude? For what?
To rationalize a craving I do not even possess? Lol.......
And when I reject their idea of Gratitude, they whip out the concept of "shelter," attempting to damage my character claiming I go around seeking shelter....
They even hint I’m off the Karma track. Karmeva Jayate, Karmeva Jayate....
After laying down their claims on me, they point at me and say, 'This is your Karma.'"
This is called Sanatana Karma.
They’re trying to teach Karma to the Grand Daughter of a priest who performed Shraadh and Pitru Karma rituals for hundreds of people.
Let us now understand Sanatana Dharma !
Dharma = Righteousness = Love without expectations.
Adi Shankara said Dharma = Selfless Love without expectations = Liberation.
Love is like the early morning prayer in the darkness - rising in the quiet moments before survival takes over. Love thrives in the mystery of the early morning darkness, free from the demands of survival, pure and unbound by the expectations of the day equivalent to Dawn's morning prayer.
Adi Shankara taught Sanatana Dharma right here..
If you've married a man solely for material desires without Dharma, it is still described as a Karmic Act driven by desires ; Even if liberation through love with your partner eludes you, the pure, untainted love you hold for your child, born from that partner, can set you free. Childrens are God.
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