The Eternal Quest
(Part -1)
( After the Previously Published Part)
Seeker: We have heard that without God’s will nothing can be done, that all is already determined. In other words, “No matter what we try, in the end only God decides.” Then, does human effort carry no value?
Seer: All is indeed predestined. Yet, effort has its place. God first created this great Nature, and then He brought forth each soul in His own image. To every being He gave two paths—one of light, the other of darkness. On the path of light He placed knowledge, devotion, discrimination, detachment, peace, joy, love, and the stillness of samadhi. On the darker way He left the restless mind and the six passions. Now, according to how one tills the field of life, so shall the harvest be. If one walks the path of liberation, the way of light must be chosen; but if one falls to the slavery of the senses, then its bitter fruit must be endured.
That is why, in the Gita, Krishna commanded: “Do your duty without desire for the fruits.” For it is selfless action that delivers us from this world of death. In other words, as we act, so shall we reap.
You may ask, “If everything depends on karma, then how is it predestined?” I tell you, even the kind of action one chooses is predetermined—and known to God alone. He has written it into the very stars. By the arrangement of planets at birth, a true astrologer may glimpse the pattern. Yet know this: though God foreknows, He never interferes. He gives freedom for action, but the fruit of action no one escapes. This is the essence of Jagannath’s truth. He is the Lord of creation, yet He does not place His hand to tilt the scale. Whatever seed the soul sows, that harvest it must gather. Before birth He shows both good and evil, but when the soul enters the play of maya, it forgets. Then, by its own choice, it walks toward light or shadow. Thus the responsibility of both joy and suffering lies on the being—not on God. He remains the silent Witness. He knows all beforehand, but gives us freedom to act, and then He gives back only what we ourselves have sown.
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Seeker: How, then, should we face the atheist?
Seer: What is an atheist? One who does not affirm God’s existence. And remember, as the saying goes: “By faith the Truth is gained; by argument, it is lost.” Without faith, no amount of debate will suffice. The one who does not believe will not believe by words. Argument never truly convinces—only the one with the louder voice seems to win, while in truth both walk away unchanged. So, why waste energy in fruitless quarrels? Do not try to force belief on them. Mix with them as you would with anyone else, but do not raise the subject of God in their company. In time, when the hour comes, they will realize their own error, and turn toward light.
As the great saint Dilip Kumar Roy once wrote: “Explain a thousand times to the blind newborn mouse, it will not believe in light. Only when its eyes open through experience will it understand what is real.”
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Seeker: I do not usually argue with unbelievers. Yet in daily life, through work, I must spend time with them. And in that contact my mind becomes filled with a kind of negative energy. How may I protect myself from this negative influence?
Seer: The atheist lives by negation; their work is to deny. The only safeguard is to remain unattached, like water to oil. Be with them, speak with them, but keep your faith apart. Like the lotus rests in mud without being stained, so remain among them. For if you try to persuade, they will resist, and their harsh words will disturb your mind. Why take that poison into yourself?
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Seeker: Forgiveness is said to be the highest dharma. But if one seeks to harm me, or actually causes me harm—should such a one also be forgiven?
Seer: Yes—because forgiveness is indeed the supreme dharma. It not only conquers the enmity of our foes, it gives us great strength. If we cling to resentment, our mind remains restless and bitter. But in forgiving, we free ourselves. Leave their judgment to God, the highest Judge, whose justice is perfect and without flaw.
(To be continued)
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