Papam and punyam are two commonly used words in the Indian culture. The words mean the same in Sanskrit and Tamizh. They are the driving forces behind samkskaras (rites of passages) and dharma teachings.
Papam means sin, evil, wicked, destructive action
with bad consequences. Punyam means virtuous, meritorious and right
conduct with good consequences.
Kanchi Periyaval (vol
2: Daivatin kural page 818) says that we
accrue papam through our mind, speech and body. Bad thoughts, bad
speech and bad actions result in papam. We have to suffer the
consequences of those thoughts and actions. “The 40 samskaras are designed to
decrease that accrued papam”, says KP.
The idea goes back to the Vedas. Chandogya Upanishad states
explicitly the consequences of evil acts and virtuous acts and uses the words papam
and punyam in Book 5 Section 10.
Puranas and Dharma shastras codified these acts of papam
and punyam for use by common folks in daily living. These books list
noble/ wholesome and cruel/unwholesome activities through various characters in the
mythological stories. Asuras are those with unwholesome and cruel qualities.
Divine incarnations are described with wholesome qualities such as compassion.
The Puranas and Dharma shastras also say that if you perform
good acts (punyam) you get rewarded at death and go to deva loka
(heaven) for enjoyment or to go to asura
loka or hell (narakam) for punishment of bad acts (papam).
But the stay at heaven or hell is temporary. Once you use up the credit either
in heaven or in hell you will be sent back to earth. Earth is the only place
for you to work out your karma. In other words, humans do get a chance
to redeem themselves through good actions in this world. This world is the only
place where humans can work out their fate!
The ultimate teaching though is release from this
birth-rebirth cycle through meditation and full merger with Brahman.
It is important to note that we designate some acts as punyam
or papam and so they become punyam or papam. Papam
and punyam are sins and virtues with religious connotations because the
consequences are rewards in heaven or hell. They are judgmental.
I prefer defining actions on the basis of their effects on
ALL LIVES, as Buddha suggested. Ask whether an action is harmful or beneficial?
Not, whether they are papam or punyam? Not whether
you will go to heaven or hell by performing specific acts.
Look how many people do horrible things (papam) and
then go to the temple to propitiate or go on a pilgrimage or make donations to temples
to obtain punyam! That is bartering with God.
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