Aptavani-1
57
are attracted. This is the very thing that brings you misery.
When things go according to your wishes, it is because of your
merit karma and when things go against your wishes, it is because
of your demerit karma. There are two kinds of merit karma and
two kinds of demerit karma :
(1) Paapanubandhi paap (New demerit karma stemming
from past demerit karma) : A person binds new demerit karma
while experiencing the effects of demerit karma from his past
life. For example, when a person inflicts pain on somebody and
enjoys doing so.
(2) Punyanubandhi paap (New merit karma stemming
from past demerit karma) : A person is suffering as a result of
demerit karma from his past life, but he binds new merit karma
by leading a moral and ethical life.
(3) Paapanubandhi punya (New demerit karma stemming
from past merit karma) : A person enjoys happiness as a result
of merit karma from his past life but while doing so, he binds
tremendous demerit karma. Today, this type of karma is rampant
everywhere. A wealthy man is not even able to enjoy the
comforts of his huge mansion. He is out the entire day making
money, his wife is out shopping and running around looking for
beautiful clothes and his daughter is driving around in her car.
Only the servant is to be found at home and the entire bungalow
is uselessly wasted. He has acquired all his material comforts as
a result of his merit karma from his past life but despite this
merit karma he binds demerit karma as a result of his behavior.
He is consumed with immense greed and attachment and he is
not able to enjoy his wealth. Such people with paapanubandhi
punyas are always after sensual gratification.
(4) Punyanubandhi punya (New merit karma stemming
from past merit karma) : A person performs rituals and works
towards attainment of Self-Realization while enjoying the fruits