Inquiries into the Absolute: Digest 54

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Digest 54, March 18, 2003

 

Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja

 

*** You are welcome to send in your questions to HH Romapada Swami at

iskcondc (AT) prastha (DOT) com with the word "Question" in the subject. ***

 

Forms of God

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Q.1)

Bhagavad Gita says that if a living entity does not know that Krishna is the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, his life has no meaning. What I wish to know is

what about persons who are from different religions like Muslims, Sikhs or

Christians who do not know Krishna as the Supreme, though they are doing their

duties faithfully. Are they differently treated by God? How can they attain the

supreme planet of Lord Krishna?

 

Q.2)

What happens to those who follow Islam or Christianity? Will it take more time

for them to revive their dormant love of God?

 

Answer)

We discussed this question in a recent issue (Digest 41, Q2); the conclusion

was that when one practices true religion, irrespective of its external

formalities, God reveals Himself within the heart of the practitioner. The

rituals of a religion are not unimportant, but the real essence of religion is

to see if it is bringing one to the point of unmotivated, uninterrupted loving

service to God. And the processes of religion are universal -- calling upon the

Holy names of God, hearing about God, praying to Him with a sincere heart so

that we can come closer to Him, and serving Him. Since God is one, and is

situated within everyone's heart, He guides a sincere and unprejudiced devotee,

no matter what his or her language of prayer is. One is not differently or

less-preferentially treated by God in revealing Himself based on external

circumstances.

 

A word of caution here is that one can be successful in his or her quest for

knowing God only by following bona fide scriptures under bona fide

representatives of the scriptures, and not by personal endeavor alone, however

well-intentioned may be one's efforts.

 

Therefore, while what is said above regarding personal sincerity holds true, it

is essential that one seek proper guidance wherever it is available. The

necessity of receiving knowledge through disciplic succession must be very

carefully observed, if one is sincere in knowing God in truth.

 

A further consideration is that different scriptures reveal different levels of

truth, both within the Vedic scriptures and other religious faiths, based on

the time, place and circumstance of those it is meant for. Thus there may not

be as much information or direct revelation of the kingdom of God in some

scriptures as within others; still, an unprejudiced seeker can accept and

embrace the truth when they come in contact

with it.

 

A sincere practitioner who is not aware of higher truths revealed in another

scripture is not condemned; one who rejects it even after hearing about it is

unfortunate. One who does not at all inquire into the subject of God, however,

it is that person whose life is meaningless, as you have mentioned.

 

Unfortunately such apparent differences lead the immature to religious

fanaticism or zealous proselytizing for religious conversion, which have

nothing to do with God realization. Real religion will impart realization of

the soul beyond the designations of the body such as place of birth, language

or external formalities of religious faith. From such a state of transcendental

consciousness one can approach the full fruit of religion, namely love for the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.

 

 

Karma

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Q.2)

We often hear devotees saying that whatever they or others are experiencing is

due to their karma. So our question is, how does taking responsibility come

into the picture? Can we just 'lay the blame' on past karma for our present

misdeeds and wrongful activities and get away with it?

 

Answer)

The principle of karma is misused by many people as a `rubber crutch', ie. the

'fall guy' or an external blame for one's unfortunate circumstances. However,

one major purpose of educating persons in the principle of karma *is* to create

within them a sense of being held personally responsible for their present

actions via the reactions that will come back upon them. This seems to be your

main point, which I am confirming.

 

One's present situation in life may be the byproduct of his/her past actions,

but their present actions are not predestined; one's present actions are

executed by one's own volition, albeit within the limited framework that they

received due to their past actions. For example, someone may be put into prison

for some crime; while in prison, they are not fully free to act like a

non-imprisoned citizen. However, while in the prison, if they get into an

altercation with another prisoner, it only implicates them further in being

restricted, even within prison! Is this not the case?

 

Here is the point: past karma does NOT dictate nor mandate my current choices

of action. I can choose to act within the mode of goodness, or I can choose to

serve Krishna always, no matter what the past's impelling forces dictate.

 

Q.3)

What is the explanation for people dying due to disasters, accidents, war etc.?

Is it due only to karma or is it because of persons who follow the path of

"adharma" and are creating trouble for the innocent people by misusing their

free will? (like Duryodhana created trouble for Pandavas)

 

Answer)

Mass destruction is brought about by a combination of both causes. When there

are many people who deserve a terrible death because of their previous sinful

acts, and there are likewise persons who want to misuse their freewill and

inflict pain on others, material nature creates circumstances to bring them

together. We cannot dismiss away cruelty inflicted upon someone simply as their

well-deserved karma. One's past misdeeds is a most probable contributing

factor for someone's personal suffering. Nonetheless, there are individuals who

perpetrate nefarious acts which bring disasterous effects within others' lives,

and these persons are certainly doing so out of misuse of their freewill.

Unfortunately, they await similar and greater punishment in future.

 

Suppose that someone is karmically destined to die at my hands. Yet, it is my

prerogative as a human being to exercise compassion and mercy instead. I may

choose to not become part of an act of violence which once again entangles one

in the endless, vicious karmic cycle.

 

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----- Festivals over the next week ------

Mar 18 2003, Tuesday Festival of Jagannatha Misra

Mar 25 2003, Tuesday Appearance Sri Srivasa Pandita

 

*** NOTE: All times are for Washington D.C, USA, EST ***

For festival information for your city please go to http://www.iskcondc.org and

click on 'Calendar'

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