Abhaya-Itihāsa: Karma, Indriyas, and the Non-sensory Brahman
Brāhmaṇī–Brāhmaṇa Saṃvāda
ग्राह्मं दृश्यं च सत्यं वा यदिदं कर्म विद्यते | एतदेव व्यवस्यन्ति कर्म कर्मेति कर्मिण:
grāhyaṃ dṛśyaṃ ca satyaṃ vā yad idaṃ karma vidyate | etad eva vyavasyanti karma karmeti karmiṇaḥ ||
风神(Vāyu)说道:“在此世间,凡被称为‘应当受持’的行持——如戒律、受灌顶(入门)之仪、誓愿等——以及一切‘可见’之事,即外在而具体的作为,人们通常只把这些当作真正的行动。执著于行的人便断定唯此是‘业(karma)’,并称之为‘业’。”
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse highlights a common, action-centered understanding of karma: people often identify ‘real karma’ primarily with adoptable disciplines (vows, initiations, observances) and with outward, visible deeds, treating these as the definitive meaning of action.
Vāyu is speaking in a didactic context, clarifying how ‘doers’ (karmiṇaḥ) typically define karma—by emphasizing observable and formally undertaken practices—setting up a broader reflection on what truly counts as action and its significance.