PART II: The Four Karmas - Classical Sources & Trauma Parallels

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In the March, I began sharing the frameworks that have truly shaped my journey as a trauma-informed practitioner: the ancient Vedic knowledge and the emerging practice of somatic experiencing for processing trauma within the body.

You can find Part I in the "Blog" page.

In April, we continue to explore the fascinating connections among Vedic Astrology, Karma, and trauma processing.

PART II: THE FOUR KARMAS - CLASSICAL SOURCES & TRAUMA PARALLELS

Classical Overview

The four types of karma are explained beautifully in several classic Vedic texts. The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, verse 47) introduces the foundation of Karma Yoga, one has the right to perform actions, but not the right to the fruits of those actions.  Karma as action and the results of that action are separate from the action itself. It teaches us to work without attachment to outcomes (successes or failures) and to avoid both inaction and the false pride of being the sole cause of the result, which keeps us in the Wheel of Karma. 

The Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS), a foundational Jyotish text authored by Sage Parashara, provides detailed insights into how these karmic types manifest in a natal chart and are activated during planetary timing cycles. 

In Vedantic literature, there's a helpful analogy to understand the four types of karma, which compares them to an archer and his arrows: Sanchita Karma as the full quiver of arrows on the back; Prarabdha Karma as the arrow already released and in flight, unchangeable; Agami Karma as the arrow notched now; and Kriyamana Karma as the act of drawing the bow. The archer controls the notching and drawing, but once the arrow is released, it must reach its target.

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“One has the right to perform actions, but not the right to the fruits of those actions.”  The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, verse 47).

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SANCHITA KARMA | ACCUMULATED KARMA

Classical Definition

Derived from Sanskrit 'sañcita', meaning “piled up” or “heaped together," Sanchita Karma refers to the extensive collection of all actions, thoughts, and desires accumulated over every lifetime. Think of it as the universe's big balance sheet, recording every deed across all our lifetimes, whether the action is virtuous (punya) or unvirtuous (papa). In the Vedantic tradition, Sanchita Karma is so vast that it cannot be fully experienced in just one lifetime; instead, it unfolds gradually, with each lifetime revealing a portion. 

What's truly inspiring is that, unlike Prarabdha, Sanchita Karma can be influenced and altered through consistent spiritual practices, selfless actions, chanting (mantra), and heartfelt devotion (bhakti).

In the Vedic Chart

Sanchita Karma is often viewed through the D9 Navamsha chart, also known as the “soul's chart.” When we see grand trines in the natal chart, connections among the 1st, 5th, and 9th houses, they reveal the virtuous karma (dharmic punya) accumulated from past lives. Retrograde planets are traditionally seen as symbols of past-life patterns that weren't fully resolved and are yet to be addressed. The 9th house and its lord reflect the overall quality of one's accumulated dharmic merit, adding a deeper layer of understanding to the D9.

Trauma-Informed Lens

Sanchita Karma reflects what somatic therapy calls the 'intergenerational transmission of trauma” or “ancestral trauma.” Bessel van der Kolk's research on complex PTSD shows that patterns of nervous system dysregulation, relational templates, and survival responses are often passed down through generations via epigenetic processes and early relational conditioning, even before conscious memory develops. This is the essence of Sanchita in the body: a vast, accumulated archive of the soul and ancestral system stored in cells, the nervous system's baseline tone, and the implicit relational patterns that feel like “who we are” doesn't come from a single event, but the overall atmosphere that shapes us.

PRARABDHA KARMA | DESTINED KARMA

Classical Definition

From Sanskrit 'prārabdha' — meaning “that which has been begun” or “already set in motion.” Prarabdha Karma is the portion of the Sanchita storehouse assigned to the current lifetime. It is the karma that has ripened and is “in flight,” like an archer's arrow that has already been released. Classical texts describe Prarabdha as the most fixed of the four karmas: it cannot be escaped or avoided, only experienced. Tulsidas, the Hindu saint, wrote: “Our destiny was shaped long before the body came into being.” Prarabdha determines the family of birth, the body's constitution, major life circumstances, and the soul-level lessons set for this incarnation. 

However, it does not determine how a soul responds to those circumstances; response is a matter of free will.

In the Vedic Chart

The natal birth chart (D1) serves as the central map of Prarabdha Karma. The planetary periods system (Vimshottari Dasha) helps us understand when specific Prarabdha karma begins to unfold. Each planet governs a planetary period, and when a planet's period activates a particular promise in the chart, the Prarabdha stored within that planetary placement starts to manifest. 

The 6th house (which relates to debts and obstacles from past lives, among others) and its ruler highlight where Prarabdha may bring challenges. The Ascendant (Lagna) offers a glimpse into the overall Prarabdha vessel, the body and life circumstances we've chosen. Each planet and its placement in the natal chart, along with the periods and current transits in the sky, provide us with information about the karmas that are ready to mature and ready to be experienced. Our response to those experiences will either perpetuate those karmas or resolve them.

Trauma-Informed Lens

Prarabdha closely resembles what trauma therapists refer to as “core relational templates”, the early, pre-verbal imprints formed before we have clear memories, which influence how our nervous system reacts to relationships, safety, and belonging throughout life. These patterns don't feel like choices but seem like just “how life is.” Van der Kolk explains how early traumatic experiences can rewire the nervous system's fundamental responses, leading to automatic reactions like threat detection, hypervigilance, or collapse that continue into adulthood, regardless of what's happening now. Prarabdha in the body is this physiological baseline: it's the nervous system's learned expectation of how the world will treat us. It's not destiny, it's the starting point, the cards we're dealt. How we play those cards is Kriyamana (explained later in this newsletter).

Practice

When an old pattern or relationship dynamic triggers a familiar bodily response, like tightness in the chest, constriction in the throat, or heaviness in the limbs, try not to rush away from it. Instead, gently breathe INTO the sensation, not to make it bigger, but just to be with it. Be a kind, curious observer of what your body is experiencing, without judging or feeling you need to change anything. Notice where in your body it resides, whether it has a temperature or texture, and what it might be guarding or protecting. Then, gently focus your attention on a part of your body that feels neutral or comfortable (perhaps your hands, feet, or the back of your neck). Take 3-5 breaths, focusing your attention there. Return your focus to the original sensation and repeat this process. This technique, called pendulation, is about gradually and kindly exposing yourself to what’s been there all along. Over time, this can help your nervous system learn to feel safe with its own history.

Vedic Remedy

When it comes to Prarabdha Karma, which is about the fixed and challenging parts of our destiny, classic Vedic Astrology texts suggest working consciously with the energies of the current planetary periods. For example, during a Saturn period or transits, and if you are open to it or already practicing mantra chanting, it’s suggested to recite the mantras for Saturn, which help address fears and karmic ties related to death and loss. In addition, you can serve the elderly, those in need, and fasting on Saturdays also helps. 

If Ketu is in focus, practices such as offerings to Ganesha or Durga can help remove obstacles and offer protection. Donating warm blankets or food to unhoused people can also make a positive difference. 

The main idea behind Prarabdha remedies is not to change your fate but to shift how you relate to it, moving from resistance and suffering toward a conscious, respectful engagement with life’s challenges. 

It’s not what happens to us, but how we respond to it.

AGAMI KARMA | FUTURE-SEED KARMA

Classical Definition

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'āgāmin,' meaning “approaching” or “that which is coming.” Agami Karma refers to the karmic seeds planted now through our thoughts, intentions, and choices. These seeds will eventually bear fruit, either later in this lifetime or in future incarnations. Think of Agami Karma as the bridge connecting the present lifetime to future ones, embodying the realm of conscious spiritual agency. While Agami Karma inevitably flows from our choices, the quality of those choices is entirely within our power, thanks to free will. The wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita's teaching on “Nishkama Karma” (acting without attachment to the outcomes) serves as a guiding principle for cultivating positive Agami Karma. When actions are performed in harmony with dharma (our Soul’s purpose) and without ego-driven expectations for results, they create no karmic entanglements.

In the Vedic Chart

The 4th house offers a wonderful glimpse into Agami Karma, revealing how our internal thoughts and feelings shape our actions and intentions. It’s closely connected to the Moon, which reflects the quality of our mental intentions, the seeds that grow into our actions. Meanwhile, the 10th house highlights the actions we take in the world, shaping our future karma. The Nakshatra (moon constellations) and Dasha (periods) of the Moon indicate where these seeds are being actively planted, providing insight into their growth. Jupiter plays a special role here, as it governs dharma (right action), wisdom, and positive intentions. When Jupiter influences either the 10th house or the Moon, whether through transit, period, or placement, it encourages the development of beneficial, dharmic seeds for a brighter future. Remember, the distinction between fixed (Dridha) and non-fixed (Adridha) karma is important: Agami karma is always non-fixed, meaning it’s flexible and can be influenced by our present choices, opening doors for positive change. 

Trauma Informed Lens

From a trauma-informed perspective, Agami Karma aligns beautifully with what neuroscientists call “neuroplasticity,” the remarkable ability of the brain and nervous system to rewire themselves through new experiences. Research by Van der Kolk and the broader field of trauma neuroscience shows us that the nervous system isn't fixed; it can change. New neural pathways develop through repeated, felt experiences of safety, attunement, and a sense of control. Each time we intentionally choose a different response to an old trigger, we're planting what I like to think of as Agami seeds. These seeds help create new neural grooves that, over time, become our new normal. The heart of trauma-informed understanding of Agami is that our past doesn’t have to define our future. The choices we make in the present, no matter how small, are always contributing to a new and healthier future for our nervous system. Every moment we practice self-regulation, show self-compassion, or hold boundaries with grace, we are sowing the seeds of healing and growth within ourselves.

Somatic Healing Practice

Agami Karma, the karma we are planting right now, invites us to embrace a gentle somatic practice of felt intentionality. It’s about training our nervous system to operate from a ventral vagal (safe and social) state, rather than from stress responses like sympathetic activation or dorsal collapse. When we act out of fear, urgency, or the survival-oriented mind, we plant seeds that can lead to contracted outcomes. However, when we approach our actions from a calm, regulated nervous system, rooted in genuine presence, a sense of safety, and heartfelt intention, we sow seeds of healing and growth. 

Practice

A helpful practice is to pause before any important action or decision and tune into what Dr. Porges describes as “neuroception of safety”, a gentle body scan for safety signals. Take three slow, mindful breaths, notice your feet firmly on the ground, relaxing your jaw and shoulders. 

Gently ask yourself: “Is this action coming from fear or from love? From contraction or from expansion?” Sometimes, you might sense the answer through a physical feeling before words arise. Listen to this inner wisdom. Whenever possible, choose to act from that feeling of expansion. By practicing this regularly, we can gradually rewire our habitual responses, fostering healthier patterns that nurture both Agami and Kriyamana karma. 

Vedic Remedies

Jupiter is considered the main planet for Agami Karma, which is all about intentional actions and planting seeds for the future with awareness. According to Parashara's guidance (BPHS Ch. 86), helpful Jupiter remedies include chanting “Om Gurave Namah” on Thursdays, offering yellow flowers and turmeric to Lord Vishnu, supporting teachers, scholars, or educational institutions, and wearing yellow on Thursdays. A deeper approach to Agami remedy, inspired by the Karma Yoga teachings in the Bhagavad Gita (Ch. 3), is Nishkama Karma, doing every action without attachment to the results, as a service to the Divine. This practice is the heart of true Agami work: act with full awareness and intention, then let go of the outcome.

KRIYAMANA KARMA | PRESENT-ACTION KARMA

Classic Definition

Derived from Sanskrit 'kriyamāṇa', meaning “the karma being performed” or “current actionable karma,” it refers to the karma created by all our present-moment actions, every thought, word, deed, choice, and response that we enact right now, in this very moment. Unlike Sanchita (the vast accumulated past) and Prarabdha (destined karma already in motion), kriyamāṇa is entirely within our power through our free will in the present. It represents the most immediate, dynamic karma, the karma of this living moment. 

Kriyamāṇa karma flows in two directions: some effects are felt immediately as consequences in this lifetime, while others are added to the Sanchita storehouse to influence future lives. The Yoga traditions highlight that consciously mastering kriyamāṇa, through mindfulness, self-discipline, and right action, is the keyway a soul can change the course of its karmic journey.

In the Vedic Chart

Kriyamana Karma is also reflected in the 10th house, which represents our current actions and dharmic pursuits, along with its ruling planet and the planet that exerts the strongest influence. Mars, known for symbolizing present action and willpower, serves as a key indicator of how strong and dignified Mars is in your natal chart, revealing your ability for conscious and decisive action in the moment. Additionally, Mercury, linked to discernment and communication, and the Sun, representing will and vitality, help us understand how clearly Kriyamana karma is being expressed, whether from genuine clarity or reactive tendencies. Horary astrology, known as Prasna, which involves casting a chart at the time of a specific question, is traditionally seen as offering the most immediate snapshot of Kriyamana, taking into account both Prarabdha and the karma gathered in this lifetime.

Trauma-Informed Lens

In trauma-informed terms, Kriyamana Karma is about flexible responses, the nervous system's wonderful ability, once it’s regulated, to choose how to respond to different situations instead of just reacting automatically from ingrained survival instincts. Dan Siegel calls this the “window of tolerance,” the sweet spot where our nervous system can handle stimulating experiences while still maintaining the ability to choose and reflect. Trauma can narrow this window, but healing helps to expand it. Every genuine moment of choice, like pausing before reacting, noticing the sensations in our body, taking a deep breath, and choosing a response that matches our values, is an active part of Kriyamana karma. It’s about exercising free will within the natural flow of life’s lessons. The goal of somatic work isn’t to escape our past but to become more present and responsive, free from the control of old patterns.

Somatic Healing Practice

Kriyamana Karma involves a gentle practice called “response flexibility training,” which helps your nervous system expand its tolerance so that making choices in the present feels more natural and accessible. The core technique is called the “physiological sigh” or extended-exhale breathing, supported by research showing it activates the calming parasympathetic system in just 2-4 breaths.

Practice

1- Breathe in fully through your nose (4 counts), pause briefly (1 count), then slowly exhale through your mouth (6-8 counts). Repeat this five times before responding to situations that might feel activating. 

Remember, this isn’t about avoidance; it's about creating a neurological foundation for genuine choice. As your ventral vagal system activates, your prefrontal cortex, where your discernment and values reside, your ability to reflect re-engages, allowing Kriyamana karma to flow from wisdom rather than mere survival reactivity. You can also incorporate a simple evening practice.

2- Review one action you took during the day and ask yourself, “Was this from my highest self, or from my wounded self?”Approach this with curiosity, not judgment. Over time, this practice can help bridge the gap between these two parts of yourself.

Vedic Remedies

Mars and Mercury are the primary planets for addressing Kriyamana Karma, with Mars focusing on action and Mercury on discernment and communication. For Mercury, reciting “Om Budhaya Namah”, donating to educational causes, supporting students, and wearing green on Wednesdays can be helpful remedies. Mars remedies include reciting “Om Angarakaya Namah”, offering red flowers to Lord Hanuman or Kartikeya on Tuesdays, engaging in physical service like cooking or helping with manual tasks, and avoiding aggression in speech and actions, especially on Tuesdays. An even deeper remedy involves practicing a mindful pause every day, making a conscious, physiologically supported choice rather than reacting automatically.

In May…

We'll delve into how transits activate stored karmic-somatic material, offering a valuable bridge between Vedic Astrology and trauma-informed practices. This framework beautifully combines the classical Gochar (transit) system with the latest insights from trauma neuroscience.