Nobody deserves these things and these are certainly not some punishment meted out by a cruel God. But to understand these things one has to understand how cosmos operates, what is the present state of our humanity and above all the Divine Intent in creation. Though i have discussed these things in detail in talks as well as one of the answers on askalokda itself (which i will share as well) we can understand it through a few simple analogies.
Imagine this world as a vast gymnasium where we are being trained to become strong and supple and wise and conscious beings. This growth can be effected in two possible ways, either through a conscious understanding of the purpose of creation, by intelligently collaborating in this evolutionary process, of the growth of consciousness that is taking place upon earth or else we learn by mistakes and the consequences. These are the only two ways we learn and grow. This mistake has nothing to do with moral right and wrong but with the unconsciousness, the weakness, the falsehood, and carry within us. Now, have indulging with falsehood in the name of non-violence and conceding parts of India to the community involved in the Godhra burning? Have we not supported the leaders and parties that have led India to ruin with appeasement politics thereby strengthening the arms of the perpetrators of the crime? Have we woken up yet? Are we not still continuing to subscribe to the falsehood and facade in the name of Gandhi, forgetting Sri Krishna’s teachings, forgetting Rama? You may say what was the fault of those who were roasted in the train? Well, Strength is a divine quality and weakness is to become vulnerable to all kinds of forces of falsehood. Equally, vigilance, courage, consciousness need to be developed in us. The Upanishads teach us that fear is falsehood and unconsciousness is death. Are human beings even interested in these things. They seem to be simply running after money and family comforts.
As to God’s help, we need to understand that we are not automatons whom always someone has to protect unconditionally. At times the Divine lets us handle the danger and the challenges of life so that we grow wiser and stronger. Yes He is always there and responds to every distress call but unfortunately in the face of danger human beings cry and run and shout and jump rather than invoke the Divine. And even when the hand of God is near to save, in their unconsciousness and agitation they land up in the net of death. God still does not abandon them. He carries their soul helping in the transition from one body to another body in better and happier circumstances. He sees death very differently than we do. What for us is the end is for Him, a new and better beginning. What for us is torture is for Him the possibility of awakening the strength of Durga. What for us is suffering is for Him a schooling of nature to prepare us for a better and more conscious humanity. What for us is pain is for Him the reminder given to us to wake up out of the sleep of ignorance.
All this God has told us several times in countless ways. He has come to us as Avatars and Vibhutis and Saints and Sages. But do we listen? We worship false prophets and go to shrines for selfish gains. We never even think of giving ourselves to God but expect Him to be always at our service. We love our comfort zones and lead a life given to petty pleasures but expect God to help us unconditionally. We go to holy places but never care to go within to discover His shrine there. Now itself you can see, Sri Aurobindo has come to show us a permanent way out of this sad condition. He has explained everything, prepared everything, ready to do everything. All that is needed is our consent. Are we listening to Him? Hence the dread law of pain is imposed upon earth to learn by suffering and grow stronger and wiser through falls. Man is doomed to pain till he is free from ignorance and discovers his soul. Let me leave with these lines to reflect and ponder upon.
‘Pain is the hammer of the Gods to break
A dead resistance in the mortal’s heart,
His slow inertia as of living stone.
If the heart were not forced to want and weep,
His soul would have lain down content, at ease,
And never thought to exceed the human start
And never learned to climb towards the Sun.’
It is sadly true that we think of God and his ways only when confronted with suffering. Hence the ways of suffering continues. Hopefully we shall learn, the sooner, the better.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
Thank u so much for the reply. It has given me a new perspective to think about. It has given me some comfort. I was thinking what sort of world are we raising our children in. But Thank you so much for opening my eyes a little bit.
Glad you found it useful. Sending you some lines from Savitri to dwell upon.
‘His failure is not failure whom God leads;
Through all the slow mysterious march goes on:
An immutable Power has made this mutable world;
A self-fulfilling transcendence treads man’s road;
The driver of the soul upon its path,
It knows its steps, its way is inevitable,
And how shall the end be vain when God is guide?
However man’s mind may tire or fail his flesh,
A will prevails cancelling his conscious choice:
The goal recedes, a bourneless vastness calls
Retreating into an immense Unknown;
There is no end to the world’s stupendous march,
There is no rest for the embodied soul.
It must live on, describe all Time’s huge curve.
An Influx presses from the closed Beyond
Forbidding to him rest and earthly ease,
Till he has found himself he cannot pause.
A Light there is that leads, a Power that aids;
Unmarked, unfelt it sees in him and acts:
Ignorant, he forms the All-Conscient in his depths,
Human, looks up to superhuman peaks:
A borrower of Supernature’s gold,
He paves his road to Immortality.
The high gods look on man and watch and choose
Today’s impossibles for the future’s base.’
Affectionately,
Alok Da
