How do I find out what my karma is?

To find out what your karma is, all you have to do is live and wait. Whatever happens in your life, good or bad, happens because of karma. Nothing happens in your life, which is not your karma. Of course, you don’t know your future karma. The only way to find that out is by waiting till it happens.

The vast majority of people, though, go through their entire lives lamenting over the bad that goes down, and rejoicing over the good that happens. But life gets so much more simple when we understand the law of karma. It so simplifies our outlook on the world.

Every material interaction, right down to the movement of each and every atom and molecule in the universe is arranged by Krishna in His form as Paramatma - God in the heart of all living entities.

What that means is, we don’t have to lament for anything, because no matter what we did at any given time, it was destined to happen. It doesn't matter what we did or didn't do, if it's our partner’s or our child’s karma to die at a certain time, there is nothing we could have done to stop it from happening.

So, rather than asking - what is my karma? we should be asking how we can break free from bondage of karma. And Krishna answers that in Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna says:

Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed; otherwise work (karma) causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage. — Bg 3.9

Srila Prabhupada explains:

Since one has to work even for the simple maintenance of the body, the prescribed duties for a particular social position and quality are so made that that purpose can be fulfilled. Yajna means Lord Vishnu or sacrificial performances.

All sacrificial performances also are meant for the satisfaction of Lord Vishnu. The Vedas enjoin: yajno vai visnuh. In other words, the same purpose is served whether one performs prescribed yajnas or directly serves Lord Vishnu.

Krishna consciousness is therefore performance of yajna as it is prescribed in this verse. The varnasrama institution also aims at satisfying Lord Vishnu.

Varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman / visnur aradhyate (Visnu Purana 3.8.9).

Therefore one has to work for the satisfaction of Vishnu. Any other work done in this material world will be a cause of bondage, for both good and evil work have their reactions, and any reaction binds the performer.

Therefore, one has to work in Krishna consciousness to satisfy Krishna (or Vishnu); and while performing such activities one is in a liberated stage. This is the great art of doing work, and in the beginning this process requires very expert guidance.

One should therefore act very diligently, under the expert guidance of a devotee of Lord Krishna, or under the direct instruction of Lord Krishna Himself (under whom Arjuna had the opportunity to work).

Nothing should be performed for sense gratification, but everything should be done for the satisfaction of Krishna. This practice will not only save one from the reaction of work, but also gradually elevate one to transcendental loving service of the Lord, which alone can raise one to the kingdom of God.