The unjust truth

[Guest guest]

I think this is a good question. I think the author has perfectly

summed up the paradox that tugs at a lot of our minds when we try to

contemplate the ways of god as put down in the scriptures of various

traditions. There must be something missing that cannot be expressed

in linear prosaic language nor in analogic poetic language. . .

 

Thanks,

 

David

 

 

valist, "Vivek " <keviv90@r...> wrote:

> The bhagvad gita is pure truth.

> Pure and unfair!

> You don't have a choice says krishna.

> Krishna says that he as supersoul within directs the wanderings of

the living entity who is seated on the machine made of material

elements.

> He also says -- bewildered by the 3 modes,the soul thinks himself

to be the DOER of activities which are in fact carried out by

material nature.

> So you're not the real doer.you are just misidentifying with the

identity imposed on you -- just like being so involved in watching a

movie,that you start identifying with a particular character.But you

aren't really doing anything.The script is already written.You

cannot change it.

> The big question -- If god is really doing everything,if

everything is actually happening by force,-- what justification is

there for the individual soul to be made to suffer results of karma?

> It's like this -- god does everything,he makes you believe that

you are the doer.Then he says -- you have made mistakes -- you

suffer for it.Is this fair?

> Then god says --- look here,I'll tell you how to escape karma and

get out of maya -- just detach yourself from everything,follow a

life of self denial and self torture,keep tolerating the assaults of

material nature and besides this,surrender to me.Bow before me with

complete humility.Beg for my mercy.Also keep singing my praises and

flattering me.Keep on glorifying me ---- if you are fortunate,I

might take pity on you one day.

> ISKCON devotees are doing exactly this -- they beg "O merciful

lord,I know I am suffering my karma.I deserve to suffer much more

but you have reduced my misery.Thank you,I am grateful.

> The Hare krishna people argue that even if god is actually doing

everything,you deserve to suffer karma because you CHOSE to fall

into maya. 

> This brings up a question --- if the soul is originally sat cit

ananda --eternal,ALL KNOWING & blissful, Why would he fall into maya

in the first place?

> The HKs tell you that the lord does not want you to be trapped in

maya but lets you be deluded as he does not want to interfere with

the free will of the soul (the soul being qualitatively similiar

with the lord has this quality of free will).

> Really??

> But once you are deluded,he takes away free will itself,controls

you like a puppet on a string and makes you responsible for HIS

ACTIONS.

> If he were really bothered about your free will,he would provide

you with an enjoyable and trouble free maya and leave you alone.

> It's like this -- if there is a dungeon and you are curious about

what is inside,you look to me for advice,I tell you-- well! go in

and have a look if you please,it's your choice.

> Once you walk in,I clamp the door shut and say ha ha you walked in

of your own free will -- now you are under my control.Then I inflict

saddam like tortures on you and let you come out only after you sing

my glories and beg for my mercy.If I did this wouldn't I be a sadist?

> Krishna says --- "material nature is working under my direction"

> The scriptures tell you that material nature is intrinsically

predatory.The arrangement itself is such that one species preys on

another and might prevails.

> The same krishna tells you to follow the path of non-

violence,truthfulness,austerity,etc. ---- if you do this,you will

become a victim.you will be exploited.

> I am not questioning the validity of the gita.I know that it is

the truth.But then isn't it a truth that is imposed on you without

justification?

> THE WAYS OF GOD ARE STRANGE.