Question. What is the explanation for people dying due to disasters, accidents, war etc.? Is it due only to karma or is it because of persons who follow the path of “adharma” and are creating trouble for the innocent people by misusing their free will? (like Duryodhana created trouble for Pandavas)
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Mass destruction is brought about by a combination of both causes. When there are many people who deserve a terrible death because of their previous sinful acts, and there are likewise persons who want to misuse their freewill and inflict pain on others, material nature creates circumstances to bring them together. We cannot dismiss away cruelty inflicted upon someone simply as their well-deserved karma. One’s past misdeeds is a most probable contributing factor for someone’s personal suffering. Nonetheless, there are individuals who perpetrate nefarious acts which bring disasterous effects within others’ lives, and these persons are certainly doing so out of misuse of their freewill. Unfortunately, they await similar and greater punishment in future.
Suppose that someone is karmically destined to die at my hands. Yet, it is my prerogative as a human being to exercise compassion and mercy instead. I may choose to not become part of an act of violence which once again entangles one in the endless, vicious karmic cycle.
