Narayna or Paramatma, or Brahman or Kaal/time is the supreme god according to Hinduism or at least according to the Vaishnavi Hinduism. It is not made of the five gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether) of this universe, but its like pure cautiousness, without a form or shape. An Atman or Param Atman.
It is intrinsically blissful (आनंद स्वरूप), unattached (स्वाधीन), non-doer (अकर्ता) and observer/witness (साक्षी). Mahamaya or Prakriti or Devi Yogmaya is one of the powers of Narayana using which the supreme god created this universe and life.
Read: Who created Universe and How?
The god itself is a non doer, but its powers and avatars are the task doers according to the will of the supreme god.
Humans are also atman born as body made of five elements. Because it is born in Mayavi world, it is influenced by its pleasures and three qualities: tamsic, rajasik, and satvik. Under the influence of maya, we humans get attracted towards maya which is power (wealth, luxury, status), attraction towards opposite sex, physical strength, beauty, fragrance, music, pride, relationships, etcetera. Maya or the activity of 10 senses and 3 antahkarana creates these cravings in our body and mind. As a result, our body does various activities or karmas.
As humans we should remain aware that we are a part of god itself and we have the same characters : intrinsically blissful (आनंद स्वरूप), unattached (स्वाधीन), non-doer (अकर्ता) and observer/witness (साक्षी). We must control our self from getting influenced by maya or it destroys wisdom and we become its slave and forget who we are.
For example, when maya attracts you to someone else’s seductive wife, you have to use your wisdom or sanskaras stored in your chitta to stop your self from having her. Whatever decision you take becomes your karma.
The real doer or motivator in the example above is Maya (God). And the human just has to take a decision using his will or sanskara. Same applies to everything you do. Be it study or no study, marrying or staying celibate, telling truth or a lie, accepting bribe or denying it, and so on. That’s why it is said in Hinduism:
“भगवान ही सब कुछ करते हैं” Meaning, god/maya puts you in tempting situations, and tests you.
Maya has all three gunas. It is destroyer, it is creator, and it is also harmonious and sustenance force. At different times it provides opportunities to you to be a destroyer or a creator or a balancing force. Because while maya can create illusions, hunger, motivation, it can not do the tasks itself. It needs a body to do the tasks.
Whether you accept the opportunity provided or let it go is your karma. The decision you take is entirely yours. And it becomes your karma and sanskara and in due time you will get its real benefit or loss. How your actions affect others would be the fate they deserved or god would not have put them in such situations.
5 Reasons for Accomplishment of Actions ( कर्मों की सिद्धि में पाँच हेतु (कारण)) :
Whatever action a human performs by body, speech and mind, whether right or wrong, these five are its causes.
- Body/अधिष्ठान (कार्यरूप शरीर)
Body is necessary for karma as without it no work can be done.
2. Resource / करण (करणरूप इन्द्रिय)
The five knowledge senses of hearing, skin, taste, eyes and smell and the five karma senses of speech, hand, foot, sexual organ and anus and 3 antahkarana mind, intellect and ego, these 13 are internal resources that body has to accomplish various actions.
3. The Doer / कर्ता (कर्तारूप इन्द्रयाधिष्ठातृ)
The body and its senses can not do karma on its own. The way senses work is governed by their gods or अधिष्ठातृ देवता. All the activities are being carried out by our senses guided by their devta. Therefore, इन्द्रयाधिष्ठातृ is the real kartha for all actions.
However, when the soul under influence of maya, it forgets that it is different from body, then it considers all the activities as being done by it. This feeling of being the doer itself becomes the reason for accumulation of karma. And then it receives the fate of its karmas.
Ideally, we should simply witness the actions performed by body and its senses. Move from Kartha to Sakshi state.
4. Efforts / चेष्टा / Prana
Making an effort to do an action is very important. Unless you make an effort, there is no way for action to be completed. However, this energy comes from prana which energizes and activates the body. But it is not in control of humans. Only god controls it.
People with a strong prana are able to impress their personality on the world and often become prominent in life. Those with a weak prana do not have the energy to accomplish much, and usually remain in subordinate positions. Generally people with strong and egoistic prana run the world. But this nature can be one of the greatest obstacles on the spiritual path because it makes it difficult for the person to surrender to any higher power or to question his or her own desire-based impulses.
5. Daivam / संस्कार / दैव
The fifth reason for accomplishment of actions is Daivam. It includes destiny/fate that is pre-decided and you just have to play a role as an artist. It also includes the will of the divine power or omniwill that guides soul on its path.
In other circumstances, sanskaras stored in your chitta and your basic nature (Tamogun, Rajogun, or Sattvagun) influence the decisions you take. It influences memory, thinking, intelligence, decision-making, desires, and planning.
These sansakara come from your past karmas, your thoughts, hobbies, friend circle, interests, books you read, movies you watch etc.. They play an important role in type of actions you take.