Question on Karma
Question
Hello Sir,
You have said good karma does not cancel evil karma, and vice versa, and that both have to be enjoyed separately.
However, a notable saint (Sri Sarada Devi) has said the reverse saying,
1.) If you do a good act, it cancels the effects of your evil deeds. If one prays, takes the Name of God and thinks of Him, the effects of evil are cancelled.
What do you say to this assertion?
2.) Also, you have said that prayers are never answered by the Divine or god. The will of god manifests despite our prayers, and god never answers our prayers, and in fact, god is quite impartial despite our desires. If this is the case, why:
a.) Did you ask me to pray when I was experiencing severe depression, anxiety during the first phase?
b.) Why do so many other saints say the exact opposite (including the Holy Mother) and advise us to pray?
Answer
1. Negative karma is annulled only when one worship's or prays to God by letting go of the I-Aham (Ego), without asking anything in return (Nishkama karma). It is akin to meditation (merging the mind into the Atman)
No karma is cancelled in case of prayers or worship carried out with some expectation or return.
2. My dear friend, who are you? Who is God? Is God separate from you? Realize the truth first. What is prayer? It is nothing but self-surrender. Prayers are the means to let go of one's Ego. Prayer does not change divine will. It negates the Ego, whereupon the Divine self within shines and thereby lessens the suffering. So prayer is an important part of Sadhana. Nowhere has been said that prayer not of value.
Through Sadhana, first develop 'Gnyana' to understand the inner meaning behind the words of saints. Literal inference is of no use.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)