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In Sanātana Dharma (Hindu philosophy), karma is not “reduced” like a bank balance—it is neutralized, purified, or exhausted through conscious living, inner transformation, and divine grace. The idea is to stop creating new negative karma and dissolve past impressions (saṁskāras).
Below are the traditional and scripturally aligned ways to reduce or neutralize karma:
1. Follow Dharma (Righteous Living)
Acting in alignment with your duty and moral principles reduces the creation of new negative karma.
- Speak truth
- Avoid harming others
- Be ethical in work
- Respect parents, teachers, and elders
The Bhagavad Gītā says:
“Svadharme nidhanaṁ śreyaḥ” — better to follow your own dharma.
2. Perform Nishkāma Karma (Selfless Action)
Doing your duties without attachment to results burns old karma and prevents new karma.
- Serve without expecting reward
- Surrender actions to the Divine
Gītā 2.47 teaches this clearly.
3. Practice Seva (Selfless Service)
Helping others with pure intention is considered one of the most powerful ways to purify karma.
Examples:
- Feeding the poor
- Caring for animals
- Supporting education
- Helping without recognition
Seva reduces ego, the main generator of karma.
4. Chanting Mantras
Mantra japa is believed to dissolve subtle karmic impressions.
Common karma-cleansing mantras:
- Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
- Gayatri Mantra
- Om Namah Shivaya
- Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
Even a few minutes daily can purify the mind.
5. Meditation & Yoga
Meditation burns sanchita karma (accumulated karma) by reducing mental agitation and old patterns.
- Breath meditation
- Om meditation
- Mindfulness
- Raj Yoga (Patanjali)
Yoga aligns body-mind-spirit, reducing karmic tendencies (vasanas).
6. Practicing Forgiveness
Forgiving others and oneself releases karmic knots (ṛṇa-bandhan).
- Letting go of grudges
- Ending cycles of revenge or resentment
When you release bitterness, karma dissolves.
7. Prayer & Surrender (Ishvara Pranidhana)
Sincere devotion and surrender to God lighten the karmic load.
The Gītā says:
“Sarva-dharmān parityajya… aham tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi”
(Lord Krishna promises to free devotees from karmic sins.)
8. Practicing Ahimsa (Non-Violence)
Violence creates heavy karma. Reducing harm in:
- Speech
- Thoughts
- Actions
is a powerful purifier.
9. Giving Dāna (Charity) in the Right Spirit
Giving with humility reduces karmic debts.
Recommended forms of dāna:
- Annadāna (feeding others)
- Vidyādāna (supporting education)
- Gau-seva (cow care in traditional context)
- Helping the needy
Give without pride or expectation.
10. Pilgrimages & Holy Bath (Tirtha)
Bathing in sacred rivers (like Ganga) or visiting holy places is believed to reduce karmic burden—not magically, but by creating spiritual transformation.
11. Association with the Wise (Satsang)
Listening to scriptures, saints, and spiritual discussions helps cleanse the mind and karma.
12. Accepting Consequences Calmly
How you respond to your current situations determines how fast karma gets exhausted.
When you face difficulties with:
- patience
- non-resistance
- calmness
—old karma burns faster.
13. Cultivate Good Karmas
Positive actions also neutralize harmful karmas:
- kindness
- compassion
- honesty
- gratitude
Summary: The most effective ways
- Nishkama Karma
- Meditation & Yoga
- Mantra chanting
- Seva & Dāna
- Forgiveness & surrender
These together purify both old and new karma.
If you want, I can also guide you on:
- How to check what type of karma affects you most (prarabdha, sanchita, agami)
- Daily routine to reduce karma
- Specific mantras based on your personal goals
- How to stop creating new negative karma
Just tell me what you’d like next.
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