The earthquake - any explanation for the tragedy and suffering?

[Guest guest]

hariH OM! sri sudhir malhotra-

 

yes, even apparently calloused people will be deeply

moved by tragic events of such proportions.

 

in many ways, we 'spiritual seers' tend to feel it that

much more. however, we're also quite aware that the Self

remains unscathed and unaffected by such. sri krsna makes

this abundantly clear in bg. however again, this neither

implies that we shouldn't care. what bg is trying to tell

us, is that such shouldn't be taken to heart to the extent

that it derails our equanimity and faith in the wisdom of

the unfolding will of God (isvara).

 

the fact also emerges that, yes, this is the karma that is

in fact *vital* to the evolution of these souls. i believe

unequivocally that each of us has in our past, undergone

such tragedies, for this very purpose.

 

99% of the people of the world are unaware of the fact that

virtually *every single day*, over 120,000 people die of

starvation alone...40,000 of which are children under 5!

(statistics according to the Worldwatch Institute.) this

is sobering to say the least. but it also clarifies the

nature of the soul's inscrutable plan [of evolution, and

its often paradoxic dynamics]..

 

i've researched such matters and recently posted some of my

findings along with a proposed plan to help address these

problems. despite that i believe whatever is unfolding is

necessary, i also believe that part and parcel to isvara's

plan involves certain individuals being responsive to such

problems (viz. one's svadharma embracing seva, as a byproduct

of one's prarabdhakarma). if you're interested, see:

http://pyramodule.com/egodust/fmpagebio3.html

 

namaskaaram,

frank maiello

 

____________________________

 

 

Sudhir Malhotra wrote:

>

> Dear Sir:

>

> Hare Krishna. May God have mercy on all.

>

> I have been reading about the earthquake in India with a heavy heart.

> About 16,000 are feared dead and the toll is rising.

>

> I am very new to following Sri Bhagvad Gita, and that's why I am asking this

> question. Is there is any explanation in the Sri Bhagvad Gita for the fate

> that befell these people, old, and young, schoolchildren, pregnant mothers

> and unborn children.

>

> The most heart rending news was about the 500 schoolchildren and 50 teachers

> who were participating the the Republic Day parade and were buried alive

> when the buildings caved in on them. 500 bright little children walking

> proudly in the parade for their country with their doting parents watching

> them or waiting for them just around the corner, and life gets snuffed out

> of them.

>

> Can it be simply explained by saying that they have been punished for their

> misdeeds in the previous Janmas (lives). Or is this just a natural disaster?

>

> Please be kind enough to let me know.

>

> Hare Krishna. May God give everyone the strength to deal with the tragedy.

>

> Sudhir

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your post Frankji and for raising points worth pondering.

Although dramatic events draw our attention and the heart breaking stories

are hard to bear, suffering seems universal and is not limited to one

country, continent, nationality, race, or creed. We all respond to what is

around us according to our nature (prarabdhakarma).

 

May all be consoled, blessed, and in peace.

Love to all

Harsha

 

 

f maiello [egodust]

Monday, January 29, 2001 7:33 AM

advaitin

Re: The earthquake - any explanation for the tragedy

and suffering?

 

 

hariH OM! sri sudhir malhotra-

 

yes, even apparently calloused people will be deeply

moved by tragic events of such proportions.

 

in many ways, we 'spiritual seers' tend to feel it that

much more. however, we're also quite aware that the Self

remains unscathed and unaffected by such. sri krsna makes

this abundantly clear in bg. however again, this neither

implies that we shouldn't care. what bg is trying to tell

us, is that such shouldn't be taken to heart to the extent

that it derails our equanimity and faith in the wisdom of

the unfolding will of God (isvara).

 

the fact also emerges that, yes, this is the karma that is

in fact *vital* to the evolution of these souls. i believe

unequivocally that each of us has in our past, undergone

such tragedies, for this very purpose.

 

99% of the people of the world are unaware of the fact that

virtually *every single day*, over 120,000 people die of

starvation alone...40,000 of which are children under 5!

(statistics according to the Worldwatch Institute.) this

is sobering to say the least. but it also clarifies the

nature of the soul's inscrutable plan [of evolution, and

its often paradoxic dynamics]..

 

i've researched such matters and recently posted some of my

findings along with a proposed plan to help address these

problems. despite that i believe whatever is unfolding is

necessary, i also believe that part and parcel to isvara's

plan involves certain individuals being responsive to such

problems (viz. one's svadharma embracing seva, as a byproduct

of one's prarabdhakarma). if you're interested, see:

http://pyramodule.com/egodust/fmpagebio3.html

 

namaskaaram,

frank maiello

 

____________________________

 

 

Sudhir Malhotra wrote:

>

> Dear Sir:

>

> Hare Krishna. May God have mercy on all.

>

> I have been reading about the earthquake in India with a heavy heart.

> About 16,000 are feared dead and the toll is rising.

>

> I am very new to following Sri Bhagvad Gita, and that's why I am asking

this

> question. Is there is any explanation in the Sri Bhagvad Gita for the fate

> that befell these people, old, and young, schoolchildren, pregnant mothers

> and unborn children.

>

> The most heart rending news was about the 500 schoolchildren and 50

teachers

> who were participating the the Republic Day parade and were buried alive

> when the buildings caved in on them. 500 bright little children walking

> proudly in the parade for their country with their doting parents watching

> them or waiting for them just around the corner, and life gets snuffed out

> of them.

>

> Can it be simply explained by saying that they have been punished for

their

> misdeeds in the previous Janmas (lives). Or is this just a natural

disaster?

>

> Please be kind enough to let me know.

>

> Hare Krishna. May God give everyone the strength to deal with the tragedy.

>

> Sudhir

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Our heart weeps for all the fellow sufferers.

 

It is important to ponder on these things.

 

One can offer logical explanations and scriptural explanations - but

the fact of the matter is one recognize that

 

1. There are natural forces beyond our own control. From Vedanta

perspective - as the explanation of the second suutra - indicates -

there is nothing that occurs by accident - these are incidents that

occur the causes for it cannot not be inferred by looking at a local

scale. We need to recognize the play of the Lord in giving the

results according to ones owns karma phala - that law applies

individually and also collectively. In the Mahabaahara - Bhishma

gives a list of things or demarcations to Duryodhana when he was

searching for where Pandava-s are hiding in their year of incognito.

Where ever the Dharmaja stays, there nature will be abundently

cooperative - the people are free from calamities, the crops will be

full etc etc. It is the leaders and along with the leaders the

society sets the both material and spiritual standards of the society

and this will be reflected in one form or the other in collective

results by nature response. In a democratic society, the leaders are

reflection of the people. When people are corrupt and leaders are

corrupt and the results will only corrupt us. Only way to counter

this is to lead dharmic life, a life divine.

 

In the third chapter of Geeta - Lord Krishna says - one should offer

appropriately to the Gods and Gods in turn will appropriate

accordingly to ones offering. God are phenomenal forces of nature

and this give and take is dharma set by the creator himself - says

Geeta. How we respond to the nature the nature responds to us back

in return - kind or cruel - The polution of the nature, the

atmosphere and the waters etc all by human greed - and it will back

fire ultimately in mass destructions in one farm or the other -

cancers and AIDS etc. are just natures response to the actions at an

individual and collective level.

 

2. What is out role then - As Frankji rightly pointed out - it

becomes out dharma to respond kindly to whatever we can. Yesterday I

was listening to Shree N.S. Raghavachar telephone talks series

organized by VishishhTadvaita group - I advice every one to listen to

these series - Shree Vidya has provided in advaitin list the

to these lectures) . He was discussing the Rig-Veda

statements and its implication in terms of our sadhana. One that is

relevant here that he made reference to Vedic statement that one

should earn wealth as much as one can through dharmic means or

righteous means, but use that not for fulfiment of senseous desires

but for the uplifement of the society. That was Vedic injunctions in

terms of human persuits in life. Swami Chinmayanandaji has put this

in simple statement

 

What you have is HIS gift to you and what you do with what you have

is your gift to HIM.

 

- And the fact of the matter is the more one gives the more one gets

back in one form or the other.

 

3. There are many organizations that are raising the money for the

Earth-quake victims - Chimnaya Mission Washington Regional Center is

also raising the money. One can contribute liberally, sacrificing

some of our own self-centered desires to general goodness,

particularly when the people are in need. When one has it and not to

contribute is the definition of what is Greed - or kaarpanyam.

And if one recalls - Arjuna seeks Krishana's advice with the

statement - because of kaarpanya dosha I am unable to see what is

right and what is wrong - please teach me-

 

4. Hence our dharma is now to help as much as we can. This is our

gift in return for all that He has give us, in terms of wealth and

health.

 

5. If any one wants to send help through Chinmaya Mission, let me know.

 

Hari Om!

Sadananda

 

 

 

 

 

>Dear Sir:

>

>Hare Krishna. May God have mercy on all.

>

>I have been reading about the earthquake in India with a heavy heart.

>About 16,000 are feared dead and the toll is rising.

>

>I am very new to following Sri Bhagvad Gita, and that's why I am asking this

>question. Is there is any explanation in the Sri Bhagvad Gita for the fate

>that befell these people, old, and young, schoolchildren, pregnant mothers

>and unborn children.

>

>The most heart rending news was about the 500 schoolchildren and 50 teachers

>who were participating the the Republic Day parade and were buried alive

>when the buildings caved in on them. 500 bright little children walking

>proudly in the parade for their country with their doting parents watching

>them or waiting for them just around the corner, and life gets snuffed out

>of them.

>

>Can it be simply explained by saying that they have been punished for their

>misdeeds in the previous Janmas (lives). Or is this just a natural disaster?

>

>Please be kind enough to let me know.

>

>Hare Krishna. May God give everyone the strength to deal with the tragedy.

>

>Sudhir

--

K. Sadananda

Code 6323

Naval Research Laboratory

Washington D.C. 20375

Voice (202)767-2117

Fax:(202)767-2623

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

In Gita - XI:31 : Arjuna exclaims -

 

aakhyaahi me kaH bhavaan ugra-ruupaH

namaH astu te devavara prasiida .

viGYaatum ichchhaami bhavantam aadya.n

na hi prajaanaami tava pravR^ittim.h ..

 

 

"Tell me who Thou art, so fierce in form. I bow to Thee, O God

Supreme; have mercy. I desire to know Thee, the Original Being. I

know not indeed Thy doing."

 

The same is also compassionate to the 50 million pilgrims gathered at

Prayag, for the Maha Kumbha Mela!!

 

Regards,

 

s.

 

 

advaitin, "K. Sadananda" <sada@a...> wrote:

> Our heart weeps for all the fellow sufferers.

>

> It is important to ponder on these things.

>

> One can offer logical explanations and scriptural explanations -

but

> the fact of the matter is one recognize that

>

[Guest guest]

One correction - as Shree Krishna Kalale pointed out to me just now -

it is Anantha rangachar ( not raghavachar)

He is a learned scholar from Bangalore and one can listen to him

through the telephone net talks series. Currently he is discussing

Sadhana aspect. - as Krishana noted : I guess Dr. NSA will go from

samhitas to

upanisads to gita and sutras to track down the meaning of "sadhana" in

vedantic systems."

The lectures are scholarly and I advice every one to for

it. For future schedule of the lectures please contact "Krishna

Kalale" <kkalale1. There is wealth of information and one

can learn a lot.

 

Hari Om!

Sadananda

 

>

>2. What is out role then - As Frankji rightly pointed out - it

>becomes out dharma to respond kindly to whatever we can. Yesterday I

>was listening to Shree N.S. Raghavachar telephone talks series

>organized by VishishhTadvaita group - I advice every one to listen to

>these series - Shree Vidya has provided in advaitin list the

> to these lectures) . He was discussing the Rig-Veda

>statements and its implication in terms of our sadhana. One that is

>relevant here that he made reference to Vedic statement that one

>should earn wealth as much as one can through dharmic means or

>righteous means, but use that not for fulfiment of senseous desires

>but for the uplifement of the society. That was Vedic injunctions in

>terms of human persuits in life. Swami Chinmayanandaji has put this

>in simple statement

>

> What you have is HIS gift to you and what you do with what you have

>is your gift to HIM.

>

>- And the fact of the matter is the more one gives the more one gets

>back in one form or the other.

--

K. Sadananda

Code 6323

Naval Research Laboratory

Washington D.C. 20375

Voice (202)767-2117

Fax:(202)767-2623

[Guest guest]

Om,

 

As one seismologist put it, "Earthquakes dont kill

people, but buildings do!". We are trying to conquer

external nature, without first conquering our internal

nature. If instead, we conquer ourselves first, then

no suffering can afflict us.

"Dehi nityam avadhyoyam, dehe sarvasya Bharatha.

Tasmaath Sarvaaani Bhoothaani, Na Twam Shochithum

Arhasi."

"Knowing that only the bodies of all beings perish,

but the indweller is ever constant and imperishable,

you should not grieve." - Bhagavad Gita Ch 2.

 

Om, Shanti, Shanti ShaantiH.

 

Om Peace (from our body) Peace (from troubles due to

others) Peace (from troubles due to external nature).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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