THE LAW OF KARMA

The industry that produces wealth and the indolence that brings about adversity in this life are brought about by how you lived in the previous life. Past deeds produce the industry and indolence, which are the apparent causes of the acquisition and the loss of wealth in this life.

The doctrine of Karma is made consistent with the inescapable relation between work and wealth. This is further clarified in the next couplet.

Folly seizes even the wise when it is decreed by the law that they must lose their possessions, and the doer become shrewd when their past good deeds are ripe for being rewarded by prosperity.

Men are of two categories. The law of Karma to be prosperous decrees some and some is decried to be wise.

I.e., the wise need not necessarily be prosperous and the prosperous need not be intellectually very capable.