Karma & Dharma
Parasara Gita (Song of Sage Parasara)
Dharma, Destiny & Self-Effort (Purushartha)
Significance
Serves as an extensive ethical guidebook in the Mahabharata, reconciling karmic destiny with human free will.
A lengthier dialogue between Sage Parasara (father of Vyasa) and King Janaka on the balance between past Karma, human effort (Purushartha), and moral righteousness.
Key concepts
- Interplay between past karmic velocity (Daiva) and present personal effort (Purushartha)
- Moral righteousness (Dharma) as the foundation for societal harmony and personal Moksha
- The spiritual duties of kings, householders, and seekers across different Yugas
- Cultivating compassion, truthfulness, and mental purity above mere external rituals