Why Did God Create the World? Part 1

Why Did God Create the World?

Part 1

In satsangs or in personal discussions, one of the common questions asked by many is why did God create the world? Since this is a topic of common interest, we shall discuss it in detail.

The question asked by various people may be the same, but their reason for asking, or the actual question in their mind varies. Let us see.

1- This question may not arise out from curiosity or quest, but the person has already concluded that this world is meaningless and creating it is a waste. Based on these thoughts he remarks- why did God create the world?

2- A person may be drowning in sorrow or pain. He sees no solution to his problems and in despair asks-why did God create the world? His actual question is why am I so unhappy? If all was well, the question would not arise. When life is fun, the world appears wonderful and we even thank God for creating it and giving us the desired objects of the world.

3- There may not be personal sorrow in someone’s life. But when he looks at the world and sees the disparity amongst people, the rich and the poor, natural disasters, innocent people being exploited, killed and suffering, the injustice, cruelty etc., he questions in anger-why did God create the world? He feels God is supposed to be just, kind and loving. How can He watch all the sorrow in the world? Why does He not do something about it? Why did He create suffering in the first place?

4- A student of science, theology or philosophy has an academic interest in finding the cause of the world. If God is postulated as a cause of the world then the question arises-Why did God create the world? “Prayojanam anudisya mando'pi na pravartate.” Even a dull-witted person does not act without a purpose. What then was the motive behind creation? Einstein said- “I want to know the mind of God, the rest are details”

Om Namah Shivay