The Mysteries of Godliness
Sukadeva Goswami now unveils some of the deepest mysteries regarding the nature of God and His pastimes (lilas). He explains that the Supreme Lord's ways are often paradoxical and sometimes seem contradictory to limited human understanding. The Lord acts in ways that appear mysterious and sometimes even contrary to ordinary morality because His perspective is eternal and universal, whereas human perspective is limited and temporary. For example, the Lord permits violence and suffering in the world, yet He is the most compassionate being. He creates countless laws and rules that govern the universe, yet He is completely free and transcends all rules. He is the greatest controller, yet He grants freedom to all living entities. These seeming contradictions are resolved when one understands that they are not contradictions at all from the Lord's perspective.
One of the greatest mysteries is why the Lord allows His precious children - the living entities - to suffer in the material world. The answer, Sukadeva explains, is that this suffering is not punishment but an opportunity for growth and return. Just as a loving parent allows their child to experience minor hardships and failures so that the child learns and develops, the Lord permits suffering in the material world so that living entities will eventually awaken to the futility of material existence and return to Him. The suffering is like a pain that guides one away from a harmful activity. Just as you pull your hand back from fire because of the pain, the suffering of material existence is meant to inspire you to return to the Lord's eternal kingdom.
Sukadeva also explains the mystery of the Lord's pastimes and His incarnations. Why does an all-powerful Lord need to take incarnations? Why does He need to perform pastimes? The answer is that these are not done out of need but out of infinite love and desire to engage with His devotees. The Lord is complete and whole, wanting nothing, needing nothing. Yet out of His boundless love for His devotees, He agrees to become bound by the rules and conditions of the world He creates. He plays with His devotees, eats with them, fights with them, and forms loving relationships with them. These pastimes appear to be ordinary human events, but they are actually divine pastimes that contain infinite spiritual meaning and wisdom.
The chapter discusses the mystery of divine justice and compassion. On one hand, the Lord is the ultimate judge who maintains the cosmic law of karma - every action must have a result. On the other hand, the Lord is infinitely compassionate and merciful, ready to forgive any sinner who sincerely turns to Him. These seemingly opposite qualities are unified in the Lord's nature. His justice ensures that the cosmic order is maintained and that beings are not unnecessarily indulged in sinful life. His compassion ensures that there is always hope for redemption and that no one is permanently condemned. The Lord balances these two qualities perfectly - He is strict in maintaining dharma but infinitely forgiving to those who surrender.
Sukadeva concludes this chapter by explaining that the ultimate mystery is beyond intellectual understanding. The Absolute Truth cannot be fully comprehended by the limited mind and intelligence of material beings. Just as a small fish cannot comprehend the vastness of the ocean, the conditioned consciousness cannot fully comprehend the infinite nature of God. This is why faith and devotion are necessary - one must learn to trust in God even when one doesn't fully understand His ways. Those who approach God with humility, devotion, and faith gradually come to understand His mysteries through His grace. The revelation of these mysteries comes not through intellectual effort alone but through sincere spiritual practice and the Lord's merciful revelation to a devoted heart.