Our actions result in good and bad things. You are sowing a new crop if you just started practising spirituality, going to the temple, or doing any good karma. However, we must eat the old stock (old karma) accumulated in the godown. When this new crop is harvested in the future, we will eat this new crop.
The farmer first prepares the field, then sows the seeds, irrigates it, and spends a lot of money to nurture it. When the harvest comes, he harvests sixty tonnes of wheat from one tonne of seeds. People might consider him foolish for investing in a tonne of seeds. They curse him, and he gets worried. What should he do?
He should keep quiet for four months. After four months, what others say will not matter when the harvest comes. Any cultivation doesn’t yield immediate results. Good karma is never wasted. Even bad karma results in punishment, so good karma cannot be wasted without bringing auspiciousness to you. Yes, we must bear the consequences of our past life’s actions (karma). So, never lose faith in God.
An Anecdote On Workings Of Karma
Two friends studied together in school. When they grew up, one of them went on the wrong path. He got into drinking alcohol, visiting prostitutes and gambling. The other one started bathing in the Ganga, chanting the name of God, and going to the temple. The first became more involved in harmful activities, while the other became increasingly virtuous.
One day, they met each other. While approaching the first one, the virtuous boy was coming after taking a bath in the Ganga & was chanting the name of God. A big thorn pierced through his foot. He sat down with pain, remembering the name of God. The other one was intoxicated. He told him, “See what your God has done to you”. You have spent your entire life dipping in Ganga; now see what has happened to you. I have all the luxuries. After saying this, he went away.
After moving some steps, he found a suitcase full of diamonds. He returned to his virtuous friend and told him he had found a suitcase full of diamonds. Now, the virtuous one lost all his faith in God. He thought there was no good in taking a bath in Ganga and chanting the name of God.
God Protects His Devotees’ Faith
Whenever someone’s faith is shaken, God sends someone to restore it. God appeared as an old Brahmin and saw the boy’s painful condition. The boy told him about what happened to him and his friend. My friend, who was involved in all the sinful activities, got a suitcase of diamonds, and I did not even get food properly.
The old Brahmin played scenes from his past life. He had committed such sinful deeds that he was supposed to be crucified, resulting in a painful death. The Brahmin said that due to the influence of your worship, all your sins have been destroyed. Small pain due to the thorn destroyed your punishment of crucifixion. Your good deeds will now lead you to progress and auspiciousness.
Your friend had good deeds from his previous birth; he was supposed to be a king. However, due to the bad deeds at this birth, he destroyed all his good deeds. He now has a suitcase full of diamonds, and his good deeds are over. Whenever he enjoys these diamonds, his bad deeds from the past and this birth will accumulate and punish him.
The boy’s faith was restored, and he agreed to continue his good practices. The Brahmin said, No spiritual endeavour goes to waste ever.
Why Do Good People Suffer And Bad People Enjoy?
We see frequently that the one who walks the path of truth and does bhajan becomes unhappy, and the one with bad conduct is happy. But keep in mind that he is happy as long as he is reaping the good deeds from his previous births. Once the fruits of good deeds come to an end, then he will become unhappy.
When individuals commit virtuous deeds and advance on the path of spiritual growth, they may encounter adversity or suffering to address their past bad karma. This adversity is an opportunity for spiritual purification, and they become Mahatma (great soul).
Conversely, individuals who have accumulated positive karma from past good deeds but engage in negative actions in the present may initially enjoy the benefits of their past good karma. However, their present negative actions will eventually catch up with them, resulting in consequences or punishment for their behaviour, destroying them.
Examples From Ramayana And Mahabharata
There was a time when Ravana used to walk, and the earth trembled. Even heavenly Gods were afraid of Him. The same Ravana, when turned away from God, the monkeys kicked his skull. His wife, Mandodari, cried and said
Ram Vimukh As Haal Tumhara,
Shri Ramcharitmanas
Raha Na Kou, Kul Rovini Hara.
The Pandavas were exiled, but later, Maharaj Yudhishthir was crowned as the Emperor (Chakravarti Samrat) of Hastinapur. The entire family of Kauravas was destroyed. For a few days, Duryodhana and Dushasana flourished, and the Pandavas suffered in the forest, as a result of which they got Lord Shri Krishna as their guide. Whoever’s side God (dharma) takes, victory belongs to that side.
Conclusion
If we are on the right path, suffering for a few days is not a big deal. The result will be good. If there is fun and enjoyment for a few days, but the result is bad, then it is a problem. The problem with bad deeds is that they lead to bad conduct, the mind gets corrupted, and the person commits repeated crimes.
Never let your faith in God waver. Pray to God, “God give me the strength so that my faith in you never wavers.” Maya (illusion) will try to attack you when you walk on the right path; tolerate it. You are extremely fortunate if you practice spirituality, go to the temple and do not have any addictions. Keep at it!
Original Question: I have visited the temple daily for the last seven years. I also chant the name of God every day. Whenever adversity comes, my relatives ask me, where is your God? What is the use of visiting the temple? Please guide me.
Answer by – Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Ji Maharaj
