Why do bad things happen to good people?
Vedic scriptures give a very consistent explanation understanding which, having properly understood, one is not bewildered and shaken in their faith in God in the face of a tragedy.
The laws of karma are very intricate. Both scripturally and logically, however, we can conclude that every reaction hints at past actions. In Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, BG 4.17: gahana karmano gatih. The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.
While the living entity is indeed dependent on God for both happiness and distress, God is not responsible for either; Human being is responsible for it.
Karma can be individual, or it can be collective, i.e. reactions experienced by an entire community or large segments of society.
Large-scale sinful activities of society such as organized slaughterhouses or undue exploitation of nature can lead an entire society to experience mass karmic reactions in the form of wars, epidemics and natural disasters.
Krishna has described this material world as 'duhkhalayam asasvatam' - a temporary place full of misery. ( BG 8.15 ): Srimad-Bhagavatam certifies this world as "a place where there is danger at every step" (SB 10.14.58), yet there is a place beyond this material realm, free from all anxieties, and which is our real home, and our goal should be to return there.
One who fully understands the laws of karma and the spiritual nature of self and is faithful to God, would naturally feel deep compassion for the magnitude of mass suffering; and in feeling thus, he/she would see the need to take deeper shelter of the Lord and encourage others to do so, knowing that to be the only real solution.
The laws of karma are very intricate. Both scripturally and logically, however, we can conclude that every reaction hints at past actions. In Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, BG 4.17: gahana karmano gatih. The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.
While the living entity is indeed dependent on God for both happiness and distress, God is not responsible for either; Human being is responsible for it.
Karma can be individual, or it can be collective, i.e. reactions experienced by an entire community or large segments of society.
Large-scale sinful activities of society such as organized slaughterhouses or undue exploitation of nature can lead an entire society to experience mass karmic reactions in the form of wars, epidemics and natural disasters.
Krishna has described this material world as 'duhkhalayam asasvatam' - a temporary place full of misery. ( BG 8.15 ): Srimad-Bhagavatam certifies this world as "a place where there is danger at every step" (SB 10.14.58), yet there is a place beyond this material realm, free from all anxieties, and which is our real home, and our goal should be to return there.
One who fully understands the laws of karma and the spiritual nature of self and is faithful to God, would naturally feel deep compassion for the magnitude of mass suffering; and in feeling thus, he/she would see the need to take deeper shelter of the Lord and encourage others to do so, knowing that to be the only real solution.
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