Why do bad things happen to good people?
When we say good or bad happened to someone, we jump to conclusions. The law of karma operates on a soul’s journey through endless lives. We all have experienced that many times, seemingly adverse events later turned out to be blessings in disguise. Thus, growth requires facing challenges. In the process of exerting our mental intellectual physical faculties to the utmost, we expedite our inner transformation.
If God is all-powerful, why do hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, etc. happen?
Sounds like an unfair criticism of God! We all know that many calamities are due to misdoings of humankind. Nevertheless, the Chandogya Upanishad states that the almighty can restore any kind of disorder in the world. However, the world is designed perfectly so that we do not become complacent with our status quo. Thus, events orchestrate for the gradual evolution of souls over a continuum of lifetimes. Like a pupa’s metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly, we are also continuously pushed to transform for the better.
When we see injustice in the world, our faith gets shaken. Is God truly just?
God’s justice is through the Law of Karma. The Omniscient seated in our hearts is the perfect judge. Like every organ serves in the functioning of the body, similarly, to tiny fragments of the Omnipotent, our inherent nature is to serve Him. Actions with complete surrender & in the spirit of service to God, make us recipients of His grace . Thus our stockpile of karmas from endless lifetimes gets burnt & an ordinary soul becomes an instrument of the Divine. Have faith in the supreme intelligence that created & regulates such a large universe!
Do good people also need to worship God?
People often rely on theories that make it convenient for them to not worship God. Pride of being good & doing good often undermines God’s bountiful gifts to us, like the sunlight that powers our food, the air we breathe, the earth we walk upon, etc. All our mental & physical activities are powered by the consciousness rendered by the soul, which in turn is energized by the Supreme Soul. By cultivating gratitude for the graces we have received, we can flower all our faculties to divine heights.
How can I keep up my spirits during adversities?
Our desire to lead a linear existence with no discomfort is fanciful. The Universe is full of dualities – there is day & night; happiness & sadness; life & death; etc. Most people define a good life as material prosperity, good health, and harmonious relationships, and an unsuccessful life is a reverse. But if your goal is higher – to become the best version of yourself then all circumstances can be looked upon as a teacher. If we are able to uncover the embedded lessons they can propel growth to lead a meaningful life.
How Did Ganga Get Her Numerous Names?
Today, in this article we will discuss the origin of three names of the river Ganga. Among numerous names, we are picking Vishnupadé, Bhāgīrathī, and Jāhnvī. Now let us examine the origin of these names ...
Bhakti Yog Sadhna Shivir: December 2022
The tranquil premises of Jagadguru Kripalu University, Banara, Cuttack, beamed with devotional fervor in the last week of December, 2022, on the occasion of the 7 day annual Bhakti Yog Sadhna Shivir held ...
Explanation of Jagadguru Aarti- Part 3
This is a humble tribute to our Guru Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary. In the last two editions we have discussed the significance of the first two verses ...
Explanation of Jagadguru Aarti- Part 2
This month we shall dwell upon the second stanza of Jagadguru’s Aarti “Jayati Jagadguru Guruvar ki”. Shree Maharajji always emphasized upon the need to do “roop dhyan” on the Names, Forms, Attributes, Abodes and Pastimes ...
मानव देह का महत्त्व
मनुष्य को मानव देह का महत्व समझना चाहिए। समय रहते अपनी बिगड़ी बना लेनी चाहिए, लेकिन उधार करने की आदत के कारण अवसर चूक जाता है। हमको मानव देह पहले भी मिला है और हमने ...
Gopashtami- Shree Krishna and His love for Cows
The holy festival of Gopashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami Tithi (eighth day) of Shukla Paksha (rising moon phase) in the Hindu calendar month of Kārtik. This is the day when Lord Krishna ...