Why do bad things happen to good people –

1. Why do bad things happen to good people – The Law of Karma

2. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Krishna is Sat - Cit - Ananda Eternal Full of knowledge Blissful Jiva – The spirit soul is also Sat – cit – Ananda Then why are we suffering ??

3. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Five Major Topics in Bhagavad-Gita 2.Jiva (Living Entity) 1. ISVARA (GOD) 3. Prakriti (Material Nature) 4.Kala (Time) 5. Karma (Activity)

4. Material nature - Prakrti

6. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Prakriti – The Material Nature • Consists of millions of universes • 1/4th of the total creation

7. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? • Provides the soul with a body in the 8400000 species of life • 400,000 - Human beings • 900,000 – In Water (aquatics) • 2,000,000 – Plants • 1,100,000 – Insects • 1,000,000 – Birds • 3,000,000 - Animals • Different bodies provide different levels of consciousness just like different cells in the prison • A- Class Cell, B-Class Cell & C-Class cell • Binds the body with the three modes of nature Ga – get out … durg – very difficult to get out

8. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Three Modes of Material Nature Sattva Guna Mode of Goodness Rajo Guna Mode of Passion Tamo Guna Mode of Ignorance • Madness • Laziness • Sleep • Intoxication • Unlimited desires • Fruitive activity • Attraction between man and woman • Knowledge • Free from sins • Conditioned by sense of happiness

9. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Prakriti – The Material Nature • Consists of millions of universes • 1/4th of the total creation • Material nature is “dukhalaya ashashvatam” B.G…. • Spiritual world is “Vai kuntha” (No misery) Why did the Lord create the material world ?? • Compared to a prison house. A facility provided for the rebellious souls, giving them an opportunity to reform themselves

10. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? • Food in Mode of Goodness • B.G.17.8 “ayuh sattva balarogya….” • Food that increases life span & Heart becomes purified • Gives strength, health, happiness and satisfaction • Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart Food in Mode of Ignorance Food in Mode of Passion • B.G.17.9 “katv-amla-lavanaty….” • Food that cause distress, misery and disease • Such foods are too bitter, too sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry and burning • B.G.17.9 “yata yaman gata rasam……” • Food that are • Prepared more than 3 hrs before being eaten • Tasteless, decomposed & putrid • Consisting of remnants and untouchable

11. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? The Conditioned Soul • All living beings in the material world are conditioned by the three modes • The soul comes in contact with a particular mode of material nature and acts accordingly, being conditioned • We seek happiness on the material platform according to the modes we are conditioned by • We are forced to act helplessly according to the impulses born of the modes of nature

12. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? • Thus our pure spiritual nature is perverted by the impure desires, born of the three modes • In this way the soul is forced to take birth in this material world again and again

13. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? KALA (TIME FACTOR) • In B.G. Krishna says, “Kalosmi” – “I am Time” • Time is Krishna’s Energy • Most Powerful force in the material world. Amongst all killers time is the ultimate. • Where are the Napolean’s and Hitler’s ? • Time causes transformation in the prakriti • - Cycle of Universe • - Six Transformations

14. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? KARMA (ACTIVITY) Definition: Activities performed by the living entities conditioned by the three modes, under the control and purview of time THE LAW OF KARMA “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” • We are accountable for everything we think, speak or do • Therefore we must be aware of the consequences of all the activities that we perform.

15. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Preliminary knowledge of the LAW OF KARMA Krishna Says, “Gahana Karmano gati” – “ It is very difficult to understand the law of karma” • Laws of Karma are relative • Good Karma – Pious Activity • Bad Karma – Sinful Activity The four pillars of sinful life: 1. Illicit Sex 2. Intoxication 3. Gambling 4. Meat Eating • Concession given does not mean free license to engage in sinful activity

16. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Contd… Preliminary knowledge of the LAW OF KARMA • Applicable only to human species • Instant and delayed Karma • eg. Sow a mustard seed & get a fruit in a month • sow a coconut seed and get a fruit in 20 years • Cellows (drum for storing grains) • Individual and collective karma “Mills of God grind slowly but exceedingly fine” • Ignorance of the law is no excuse to escape reaction • If everything is predestined then why work ?

17. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Contd… Preliminary knowledge of the LAW OF KARMA • Good and bad karma do not cancel each other • Good and bad karma are both binding • TO ESCAPE REACTION, “AKARMA MUST BE PERFORMED” LIFE IS A PREPARATION DEATH IS THE EXAMINATION

18. Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? DIFFERENT TYPES OF KARMA TYPEACTIVITY Karma As per scriptural (PIOUS) directions VIkarma Against scriptural (SINFUL) directions Akarma For which one does not suffer any reaction Eg. Soldier fighting on behalf of the country