The problem of good and evil is extremely puzzling. Many devotees would come to Sri Ramakrishna and ask him how is it that apparently wicked people seem to enjoy very good life. They would wish to know whether such people need to suffer for their deeds or not. Sri Ramakrishna would give a patient hearing and explain the phenomenon by quoting an incident from Ramayana.
Once, sage Narada visited Sri Rama in Ayodhya. He reminded Rama that he had incarnated on earth for a specific purpose namely to kill Ravana. But, it appeared that Rama had blissfully forgotten his divine purpose even while Ravana was having a nice time in Lanka. Sri Rama smiled and said, “Let Ravana continue to enjoy for some more time. He had done many good deeds in his past life, as a result of which he is having his desires fulfilled. But, once the results of his good Karmas get exhausted, the time would be ripe for his destruction and at that time I will do the needful.” Thus Sri Ramakrishna would explain that God is extremely just and impartial. He dispenses the fruits of our actions in a fair and just manner. Even wicked people are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their good Karmas in earlier births. But, once the results of such Karmas get exhausted, they would have to face the consequences of their evil deeds. So, the way to spiritual regeneration is to pray constantly to God to guide us along the right path and also help us in overcoming our own bad Samaskaras by minimizing their effects. The Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi would say that it is impossible to wish away the effects of our bad Karmas. But, by God’s grace the suffering on account of such Samaskaras can be minimized. According to one’s Karma, if a person was to have lost his foot, by the grace of God the suffering could probably be reduced to the prick of a thorn.
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