Talk:Objections to the Doctrine of Karm and Responses:Karm and Divine Apathy

By Vishal Agarwal

Objection: The existence of pain, injustice, and suffering has long been raised as an objection to the doctrine of karm. Critics argue that even if individuals experience the consequences of their own actions, a compassionate and omnipotent Bhagavān should intervene to alleviate suffering rather than allowing it to continue solely as the result of the law of karm. The objection is sometimes summarized by the maxim, "To err is human; to forgive, divine."

Response: By considering the doctrine of karm together with the doctrines of rebirth and temporary post-mortem states, suffering is understood as part of a larger moral order extending across multiple lifetimes. At the same time, Hindu texts encourage individuals to alleviate suffering, uphold dharma, and oppose injustice rather than remaining passive.

A modern teacher expresses this perspective as follows:

“We might meet many different types of personalities during the course of our life, some supportive, some hostile, some loving, some suspicious and unlikeable. If we do not want to acquire more karma, we should not judge any of their actions. Any experience we have, good or bad, is only the effect of some cause we have started at some other time, perhaps in some other lifetime. If we accept the experience without judgment, that particular cycle of cause and effect will be finished in this life, but if we react, we will be starting another cycle, the effect of which will have to be experienced by us at some other time in this life or some other life.

Of course we will recognize negativity when we see it, but we should not judge it. Judging it is not our business. When we judge we create negative karma. Judgment is an action of the personality, never of the Self. Nature does not judge. Bhagavān is an impersonal witness of the actions of the human being and will not interfere unless called upon to do so. To blame Him for our negative experiences is a waste of time.”