karuṇā

() is generally translated as compassion or mercy and sometimes as self-compassion or spiritual longing. It is a significant spiritual concept in the Indic religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.

Hinduism

In Hinduism, is one of the fundamental virtues and qualities that a spiritual aspirant is encouraged to cultivate. Many Hindu deities are depicted as embodiments of compassion. Karuṇā is often linked with other virtues such as "Maitri" (loving-kindness) and "Ahimsa" (non-violence). Together, these virtues form the foundation of a righteous and spiritually fulfilling life. The word comes from the Sanskrit kara, meaning “to do” or “to make,” indicating an action-based form of compassion, rather than the pity or sadness associated with the English word. In Hindu mythology, the concept of "Karuṇā" or compassionate action is deeply embedded and is often illustrated through stories, characters, and teachings. Each avatar's story of Hindu pantheon is an embodiment of divine compassion in action. For instance, in Shiva Tandava Stotra, Shiva is described as Karunavataram, meaning compassion personified.

Navarasa

Karuna is one of the nine primary rasas (aesthetic principles) in classical Indian arts and literature."Karuṇā Rasa," or the sentiment of compassion, is a pivotal theme in the Ramayana, one of India's principal epics. The narrative commences with the sage Valmiki observing a tragic incident involving a pair of krauncha birds (Sarus cranes), setting the emotional tone for the epic. Witnessing the male bird being killed by a hunter, leaving its partner in anguish, Valmiki is moved to curse the hunter through a spontaneous verse, which ultimately becomes the Ramayana's first shloka (verse). This moment, steeped in sorrow and compassion, not only initiates the composition of the epic but also symbolically prefigures the central narrative of love, loss, and separation experienced by the protagonists, Rama and Sita, embodying the essence of "Karuṇā Rasa." Following this, the god Brahma instructs Valmiki to write Rama's story, revealing the entire tale to him.

Yoga

The foundational work of Yoga, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras—a comprehensive compilation of Sanskrit aphorisms elucidating the theory and practice of yoga—specifically emphasize the concept of Karuna.

The verse ''maitrī-karuṇā-muditopekṣaṇāṃ sukha-duḥkha-puṇyāpuṇya-viṣayāṇāṃ bhāvanātaś citta-prasādanam'' advocates for the cultivation of friendliness (Maitri), compassion (Karuna), joy (Mudita), and equanimity (Upeksha) in response to life's dualities: happiness (Sukha) and suffering (Duhkha), as well as moral virtue (Punya) and vice (Apunya). This practice, according to Patanjali, is instrumental in achieving a state of mental tranquility (Chittaprasadanam), underscoring the psychological and ethical dimensions integral to yoga's philosophical framework.

Buddhism

is important in all schools of Buddhism. For Theravada Buddhists, dwelling in is a means for attaining a happy present life and heavenly rebirth. For Mahāyāna Buddhists, is a co-requisite for becoming a Bodhisattva.

Theravada Buddhism

In Theravāda Buddhism, is one of the four "divine abodes" (), along with loving kindness (Pāli: ), sympathetic joy (), and equanimity (). In the Pali canon, Gautama Buddha recommends cultivating these four virtuous mental states to both householders and monastics. When one develops these four states, Buddha counsels radiating them in all directions, as in the following stock canonical phrase regarding :

Such a practice purifies one's mind, avoids evil-induced consequences, leads to happiness in one's present life, and, if there is a future karmic rebirth, it will be in a heavenly realm.

The Pali commentaries distinguish between and in the following complementary manner: is the desire to remove harm and suffering () from others; while is the desire to bring about the well-being and happiness () of others.
The "far enemy" of is cruelty, a mind-state in obvious opposition. The "near enemy" (quality which superficially resembles but is in fact more subtly in opposition to it), is (sentimental) pity: here too one wants to remove suffering, but for a partly selfish (attached) reason hence not the pure motivation.
In the Pāli Canon, Buddhas are also described as choosing to teach "out of compassion for beings."

Mahayana Buddhism

In Mahāyāna Buddhism, is one of the two qualities, along with enlightened wisdom (Sanskrit: ), to be cultivated on the bodhisattva path. According to scholar Rupert Gethin, this elevation of to the status of prajña is one of the distinguishing factors between the Theravāda arahant ideal and the Mahāyāna bodhisattva ideal:

Throughout the Mahāyāna world, Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit; Chinese: Guan Yin; Japanese: Kannon; Tibetan: Chenrezig) is a bodhisattva who embodies .

In the Intermediate section of the ''Stages of Meditation'' by Kamalaśīla, he writes:

In Tibetan Buddhism, one of the foremost authoritative texts on the Bodhisattva path is the '' Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra'' by Shantideva. In the eighth section entitled ''Meditative Concentration'', Shantideva describes meditation on Karunā as thus:

Jainism

is associated with the Jain practice of compassion. For instance, is one of the four reflections of universal friendship—along with amity (Sanskrit: ), appreciation () and equanimity (''madhyastha'')—used to stop ('' samvara'') the influx of karma.

Miscellaneous

is a common first name throughout India, used for both genders.

In literature

In Aldous Huxley's novel ''Island'', the concept of "karuna" is pivotal to the philosophical and spiritual ethos of the society depicted in the book.Huxley, Aldous. "Island." Harper & Brothers, 1962. In the novel, it represents an ideal of emotional intelligence and empathetic living, contrasting with the more self-centered and materialistic attitudes seen in the Western world. This concept is central to the practices and worldview of the inhabitants of Pala, a fictional island situated between the Andaman Islands and Sumatra. Huxley uses the mynah birds throughout the novel as a recurring motif to reinforce the importance of mindfulness and compassion in Pala's society. The birds are trained to repeat "Karuna" at key moments, such as during moments of stress, conflict, or potential violence. This serves to remind the islanders (and the reader) to approach situations with understanding and empathy.

See also

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Notes

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External links

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* — The network of Karuna-Shechen foundations in Europe, North America and Asia is raising funds for humanitarian projects in the Himalayan region.
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{{Authority control

Wholesome factors in Buddhism
Jain philosophical concepts
Sanskrit words and phrases
Buddhist philosophical concepts
Hindu philosophical concepts
Kindness
Compassion