Understanding the Existence of Evil and Suffering in the Material World
Many find the existence of evil, pain, and suffering in the material world perplexing when believing in an all-loving and all-powerful God. This article seeks to address these questions from a philosophical standpoint, drawing upon insights from the Bhagavad Gita.
The Role of Nature and the Living Entity
According to the Bhagavad Gita, it is not the supreme God or Krishna who actively allows evil and suffering. Rather, it is nature and the living entity (the individual soul) that play key roles in this dynamic. Krishna, as described in the text, is the witness and the supreme lord over all these activities. He allows human beings to act as per their nature (good or bad), thereby ensuring the cyclical experience of karma.
Nature is said to be the cause of all material causes and effects whereas the living entity is the cause of the various sufferings and enjoyments in this world. - Bhagavad Gita 13.21
The Modes of Nature and the Material Body
The text further clarifies that the individual soul (living entity) operates within the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion, and ignorance). These modes dictate the experiences of good and evil, and the individual must accept the consequences of their actions.
The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil among various species. - Bhagavad Gita 13.22
The Supreme Soul and Liberation
Another crucial concept is the presence of the Supreme Soul or the Supersoul, which is unaffected by the material world and remains eternal and immutable. When an individual understands the philosophy concerning the interactions between material nature, the living entity, and the Supersoul, they are set on the path to liberation. This understanding transcends rebirth and leads to a higher spiritual state.
There are those who although not conversant in spiritual knowledge begin to worship the Supreme Person upon hearing about Him from others. Because of their tendency to hear from authorities they also transcend the path of birth and death. - Bhagavad Gita 13.26
Meditation, Knowledge, and Action Without Desire
Engaging in various spiritual practices such as meditation, cultivation of knowledge, or performing actions without seeking fruitive results can help one perceive and understand the Supersoul within. There are different paths to knowledge, but the ultimate goal is to see and understand that the individual soul and the Supersoul are distinct entities, both eternally existent and unaffected by the material world.
One who sees the Supersoul accompanying the individual soul in all bodies and who understands that neither the soul nor the Supersoul within the destructible body is ever destroyed actually sees. - Bhagavad Gita 13.28
Final Thoughts on Perceiving the Supersoul
Perceiving the Supersoul clearly can help one avoid self-degradation and approach the supreme destination. Understanding that all actions are performed by the body—constructed of material nature—and that the self (the individual soul) does nothing, is a profound realization.
One who can see that all activities are performed by the body which is created of material nature and sees that the self does nothing actually sees. - Bhagavad Gita 13.30
By embracing these insights, one can find peace and understanding in the face of material suffering and evil, realizing that these experiences are part of the larger cosmic order guided by the divine omniscient.