Miscellaneous - Religion   

The eternal conflict

CHENNAI: : Amidst the astonishing variety of sentient and non-sentient objects, the Supreme Being has also created evil and good. The problem of evil continues to baffle and saints and scholars have tried to comb religions, scriptures and systems of philosophy to gain an insight into this. To the question why God created evil, Sri Ramakrishna's reply was that it is only this juxtaposition of evil and good that gives the world its edge. It is against evil that one can truly appreciate good, just as darkness helps one to understand the usefulness and value of light, said Swami Jnanadananda in a lecture. Lust, greed and anger are evil in themselves, and lead to ruin and have to be avoided. Scriptures and puranas contain many instances to show the consequences of yielding to the force of anger or lust or greed.

The greatness of evolved souls stands out in all its glory against the murky backdrop of all these negative impulses. Such people have demonstrated their determination to face the challenges of temptations and have overcome the senses that get drawn to these evil tendencies.

In fact, good and bad propensities are inherent in all human beings. It is for the individual to make the choice whether to develop the good in him or allowed to be driven by the evil impulses. It is an exercise of free will. One becomes responsible for one's actions, good or bad, and has to accept the consequences. When one bites a chilli can there be any escape from its sharp tang? The evil that the universe contains is the result of the karma of individuals for whom God is the dispenser of the law, while He himself remains unaffected by evil, and is forever absolutely good.

Once one is able to conquer evil, God realisation is near at hand. Only grit and great strength of mind can help in this effort to counter evil tendencies. Practising right conduct helps to clean the mind of dirt that obstructs knowledge of good. Spiritual peace can be attained only when through these practices the evils of ignorance and misconception are washed away.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna stresses the importance of purifying the mind through the paths of Viveka (sense of discrimination) and Vairagya (spirit of renunciation) that alone can lead towards self-realisation.

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