Q: I have seen some “preachers” from an organization essentially use the fire tragedy in Los Angeles as a way to say it is Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s punishment because LA is a godless city. Can we solely attribute it to that without considering that some areas are more prone to natural disasters? They quote BG 4.8 — vinasaya ca duskrtam to argue Śrī Kṛṣṇa has destroyed them for their behavior. But.. as I understand, Śrī Kṛṣṇa does not deal with reward/punishment directly right? Karma is in place for that? If so, is there such a thing as “collective karma” in the sastra?
Can we say that all who got affected by the fires are atheistic? It gives me the impression that the narrative is used to induce a “fear of god” to adhere to their particular sect rather than showing compassion.
A: Yes there is collective karma. And yes all this happens under the law of karma. The vinasaya ca duskrtam verse refers to Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s physical appearance in the world.
Q: It feels like they are pushing a scheme of [Śrī Kṛṣṇa wants to save you lost soul] come and join us.
A: Of course!
Q: So the verse is not applicable because Śrī Kṛṣṇa would be guilty of partiality?
A: No it is just the context of the verse. Take something out of context and it can be made to say anything you want. If Śrī Kṛṣṇa is punishing them, then we need to see Him setting the fire. This is what the section is saying: sambhavami yuge yuge. This section is explaining the reason for His appearance in this world – protecting the sadhus, punishing the asuras like Kamsa and establishing dharma. I read that the fire may have started on its own, or it may have been lit by some arsonists. No one saw Śrī Kṛṣṇa setting the fire! So the verse is inapplicable to the LA fire.
Q: Can we say that the devas are punishing them with fires because of their lack of belief in Śrī Kṛṣṇa?
A: No, we cannot say even that. The devas award results according to karma. See Bhāgavatam 11.2.6 — chāyeva karma-sacivāḥ – the devas are assistants to karma, like a shadow. Sridhar swami comments — chāyeva yathā puruṣo yāvat karoti tāvad eva tasya chāyāpi | tathā karma-sacivāḥ karma-sahāyāḥ, “the shadow does exactly whatever the person that casts the shadow is doing. Similarly, the devas are assistants to [one’s] karma”. They reciprocate according to the karma of the person. The shadow is not independent. Likewise, the devas are not independent of the karma. This is why natural disasters carry the name of ‘adhidavika’.
If fires are because of the lack of belief in Śrī Kṛṣṇa, then why was there a fire recently in the Kumbh mela? How about the many natural disasters in India in holy places- the floods in Kedarnath come to mind. Thousands of people died at Kedarnath compared to less than a hundred in the LA fires.
Also natural disasters affect everyone regardless of belief- atheists and theists.
Q: So Śrī Kṛṣṇa does not punish the atheists like this?
A: Why would He? He has nothing better to do? Does He lack something that the atheists have? He is not petty; it is human beings who are petty and who come up with such ideas. Śrī Kṛṣṇa has no such pride that others must worship Him or acknowledge Him or He will extract vengeance. Quite the opposite. Śrī Kṛṣṇa washed the feet of all the guests during King Yudhisthira’s rājasuya sacrifice at Indraprastha. This is seen in the Priti Sandarbha, Anuccheda 184, where Śrī Jīva Goswami tells us His internal thought process:
His [Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s] reflection in this regard can be understood as follows: “All the tasks will be carried out by others [each according to their own liking],⁵ but out of pride, no one else will wash the feet of the guests. On this account, the Rājasūya ritual of My kinsmen [Yudhiṣṭhira and the Pāṇḍavas] would be marred by the omission of this necessary component. Thus, I alone must take it up Myself.”
Truly speaking, Śrī Kṛṣṇa is indifferent to those who do not believe in Him. Forget about atheists, He does not even give bhakti to those who want His bhakti easily. Bhagavan’s punishment is not indiscriminate. Furthermore, when He is personally present, He delivers even those He punishes. And those He punishes are punished only because they harass His devotees.
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