26 Oct 2018
Shri Anil asked: A person in Quora forum asked the following question: “I wanted to know that how could the unjust practices like human sacrifice or sati pratha or human trades in open markets were present in society which had all the knowledge of physical and metaphysical worlds? If the Vedic civilization was so advanced, how could they believe in sacrificing one's life?” Kindly give your response to this. At Your feet, Anil.
Swami Replied: The defects or sins mentioned by you were not present in the ancient Vedic culture. As time changes, the culture of the people also changes. It is an alternating pattern of justice and injustice in society, appearing like the seasons, which alternate between hot and cold seasons. Several such alternating cycles have gone and more will come in the future. This is the very nature of this creation. It is a misunderstanding to think that only one cycle has appeared so far since the beginning of creation. If you are under such a misunderstanding, you will appreciate the present time and criticize olden times, or vice versa. The past referred by you is only relatively older than the present times. It is not the oldest! You cannot confine all of time only to two days and say that yesterday was bad and today is good or vice versa. The alternating pattern in human society and culture happens due to the psychology of humanity. Human beings are fond of change. After a long period of good, they seek bad, and after a long period of bad, they seek good.