20 Sep 2022
Smt. Priyanka asked: Swami, in one discourse, it is mentioned that harming bad people is a good act. But, on the other hand, we must also leave revenge to God only. My confusion is whether taking revenge is considered the same or is different from the case of harming bad people.
A) Is it that when we harm bad people under God's orders, only then is it considered meritorious? If we harm them out of personal will just because the opponent harmed us, does it become revenge?
B) If we take the example of the Kauravas, Duryodhana, Dussasana and others were considered bad people. During the incident of Draupadi being dragged by Dussasana, Bhima took a vow to kill him and wash Draupadi's hair with Dussasana's blood. In this case, Dussasana was a bad person and Bhima wanted to harm him. But, is this coming from a place of personal revenge because his wife was insulted or is it considered as a good act because a bad person is being harmed? There are several examples in the Mahabharata itself where this can be applied. Swami, can You please further explain to remove my confusion?
Swami replied:- A person fighting against the injustice or leaving the revenge to God is to be implemented on sharp analysis done by scholars of ethical scriptures and good preachers of spiritual knowledge. Krishna decided what was justice and what was injustice. In this context, fighting against injustice was to be implemented. If justice and injustice are decided by the party itself, then, there is always a risk due to biased interests. In such a case, one must leave the part of revenge to God. Even if a person capable to fight against injustice leaves the revenge to God, it is not wrong because God is always the final responsible authority of protection of justice and destruction of injustice. God will certainly analyse the nature of the cause with respect to the previous births and will certainly punish the sinner if injustice is really done by the sinner. But, for such option, a lot of patience and lot of faith in God is required. Bhima reacted just once in the actual context. Draupadi was always boiling with revenge even though she was the main cause for the whole episode since she laughed at Duryodhana during his visit to the court of Maya. Her sons were destroyed and could not become kings. Even Bhiima was partially punished because he took the revenge in to his hands by such vow. Even if he had not taken that vow, Duryodhana would have been killed by Bhima through justified battle. Duryodhana died because Krishna decided so and not due to the fight of Bhiima.
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