The Karmic experiences are built into our mind in a set sequene. As these events unravel, the mind realizes that it does not want to be subject to the push and pull of opposing forces. The mind tries to overcome these fixed set of events by developing control and restraint over itself.

So the experiencing of Karmic events results in the birth of forces of self control which is the first step towards the development of human intelligence.  

Intelligence is not to be confused with Karma.  Intelligence  is often confused as the means by which we experience Karmic events. 

Intelligence is the process of observation of the self.  When the learning that emanates from the observaton of the self is used to transform and evolve the self, Karmic forces begin to recede. They no longer bother the mind. 

Karma gives the mind an option.  The mind can choose to pursue external world objectives.  It attempts to manipulate the environment for its own gain and benefit. 

When the environment can be manipulated at the "will" of the self, the first consequence  is the tendency (of the mind) to maximize "pleasure" and eliminate "Pain",  protect the self by increasing security and reducing threats,  Sustenance of the self at the expense of others and insensitivity to the requirement of others is the next level of degeneration.

AFTER EXPERIENCING BOUTS OF SUCCESS AND FAILURE, THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS THEN PUSHED TOWARDS REALISING THE FUTILITY OF THESE MATERIAL PURSUITS AND  THAT TRANSCENDING THESE "PLEASURES" IS NECESSARY TO ATTAIN A HIGHER STATE OF EXISTENCE. 

The mind then starts turning to spiritual pursuits. 

THOUGHT STARTS OUT AS BEING SUBSERVIENT TO KARMA.   IN ORDER TO HELP MOVE THE THOUGHT PROCESS ALONG ITS PREDETERMINED PATH,  KARMA PROVIDES INCENTIVES IN THE FORM OF EXPERIENCE OF PLEASURES,  SUCCESSES, RECOGNITION, MATERIAL WEALTH.   SO WHEN KARMA PRESENTS THESE TEMPTATIONS AS INCENTIVES,  THE THOUGHT PROCESS MOVES WITHOUT HESITATION TO EXPERIENCE THE PLEASURES OFFERED.  When the mind develops the insight into the recognizing the futility of these experiences that the need to control the urges and temptations arises and the "intelligence" (or self control) begins to take root. 

THE TEMPTATIONS THAT ARE SET UP MANIFEST AS  THE PHYSICAL WORLD AND THE WEAKNESSES THAT SEEKS, PERCEIVES AND YIELDS TO THESE TEMPTATIONS are set up to MANIFEST in THE form of the INDIVIDUAL'S THOUGHT PROCESS.

THE PURANAS' INSTRUCTION IS TO SHED THESE WEAKNESSES AND ILLUSIONS IN ORDER TO AVOID FALLING INTO THE KARMIC PITFALLS.   THIS WAY, ENTANGLEMENT IN THE WEB OF MAYA IS AVOIDED AND MOKSHAM IS OBTAINED.KARMA IS STRUCTURED TO BE SELF PERPETUATING TILL SELF REALIZATION IS ATTAINED. THERE ARE PATHS THAT COULD WORSEN THE JOURNEY AND THERE ARE PATHS THAT WOULD AVOID PITFALLS AND MAKE THE JOURNEY SMOOTHER. 

THOUGHT IS KARMA's CHILD FOR PERCEPTION, AND ITS MAIN TOOL FOR EXECUTION AND PERPETUATION.  Thought is created and nurtured by the events in the external world. KARMA is a completely metaphysical process. The thought process is the physical enactment of Karmic events .  The Puranas address the relationship between thought process and Karma.

IN A NUTSHELL, THE WHOLE OBJECTIVE OF LIFE IS TO GROW THE THOUGHT PROCESS OUT OF ITS KARMIC EMBRYO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF LEARNING ABOUT ITSELF (SELF REALIZATION). KARMA's WEAPONS (SUCH AS GREED, PLEASURE, MATERIAL WORLD AMBITIONS, EGO etc.), ARE TO BE IDENTIFIED AND DISCARDED FROM THE MIND.