Passage 5

Karma is to be regulated by Dharma

The Rig Veda is primarily concerned with karma and is part of the Karma kanda (the path of action, to attain the Absolute). There are three stages in the soul's journey to its source: Karma, Dharma and Brahma. Karma is the sincere discharge of one's duty, as laid down in the scriptures and as beneficial to our standard and status. Through karma done for some benefit in view, man progresses towards karma with no benefit in view, so that he does it as a rightful obligation, undeterred by defeat or unaffected by success. He does karma, regulated by dharma (virtue). Then, his consciousness is purified and elevated and can help him to become aware of his Reality as the Self which includes all, Brahman (Omni self).