This is it. As a sequel to our previous column, we tackle this sensitive issue of karmic justice as a reminder to those who remain oblivious to its impact in daily lives. We chose to address this frequently asked question “why me when a cruel providence hit us like a bolt of lightning in broad daylight”. Be that as it may, as the previous article in this space showed, we cannot escape the law of karma if the Vedic scriptures so mandate. Just what are Vedic scriptures? Our research shows that Vedic scriptures are the spiritual literature of the ancient Indian culture. They consist of a huge collection of books written in the Sanskrit language that includes material (mundane), religious (ritualistic), and spiritual(monotheistic) knowledge. The word "Vedic" is derived from the Sanskrit word veda, meaning knowledge or revelation. According to Vedic history, these scriptures were written down about 5000 years ago. This date is not accepted in modern Indology, but the date is in fact not very important, because the knowledge in these scriptures existed long before it was written down.

The Veda is understood by simply accepting what the Veda says about itself. This Vedic self-understanding may be amazing or even unbelievable to the modern reader, but the different opinions about the origin and history of the Vedic scriptures are due to a fundamental difference in world views between the followers of the Veda and modern mundane scholars. According to the Indological world view, "Vedic Scripture" doesn't even exist. Modern Indology says that the collection of books mentioned in this article is not a consistent body of knowledge but a mere accumulation of texts from different sources. Indology claims that they were written over a long period, starting after the hypothetical Aryan invasion into the Indian subcontinent, about 1000 to 1500 B.C., when the mixture of tribes formed a "Vedic" culture. If we believe this scenario, then it is natural to think that the Indian scriptures are a mass of unsystematic, mythological texts. The Vedic scriptures maintain a completely different version-one of ancient cultures, timeless revelations, and divine incarnations. The entire body of Vedic knowledge has a systematic structure and a clearly-defined goal, being compiled by Vedic rishis (sages) headed by Vyasadeva- the literary incarnation of Lord Krishna. About 5000 years ago these sages systematically wrote down this knowledge to prevent it from being lost in the upcoming Kali-yuga, the Iron Age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the most fallen in the cycle of ages.

The structure of the Vedic scriptures can be compared to a staircase with many steps, with specific scriptures corresponding to each step. The Vedic scriptures describe both the goal and the steps leading up to this goal. They are nonsectarian because they respect people of all "steps", encouraging everyone to progress to the next step. There is no converting or pushing, because everyone has to walk for himself. As the Vedic saying goes, "Even in a flock of birds, each bird has to fly for itself." The "problem of evil" has been the bane of Western theologians and thinkers for centuries. Simply stated, the problem is, Why does evil exist in the world despite the presence of an almighty God? The Vedic scriptures give a clear understanding of the problem of evil. They explain that evil comes upon us because of our own bad acts. That's called karma. But when our due suffering reaches us, we've forgotten the wrongs we did in the past. Hence the indignant outburst, "Why me?" So as not to confuse our readers, we go directly to the question why bad things happen to good people even if they have not done anything wrong. This is a question that may haunt us when we see virtuous people victimized by painful reverses in life.

Following the logic of righteous person even suffering from bad karma, can you imagine those who are considered as “bad eggs”? To this BGlante, if those who run roughshod with what is right is even vulnerable to karmic justice, how much more to those treading the crooked path. So why insist on doing bad when even the righteous are not spared from bad karma. This is where our thesis is centered on why we are careful in choosing another lifetime mate if given a chance to love again. Having been a victim of karma as a result of our philandering ways to the prejudice of a suffering wife, we are confronted with this reality if this time around, are we ready to allow ourselves to be victimized for another doze of karma? Not anymore. And to this repentant sinner, once is enough. Therefore, as we stand in the threshold of considering another plunge at romantic bondage, this BGlante is careful not to commit the mistake of violating the ninth commandment which obviously prohibits taking another man’s wife for a lifetime partner. Obvious to the core, what we are looking for is one who is not hooked to any other relationship other that this love struck gigolo. Anybody who is carrying an extra baggage need not apply because anybody in this situation is a potential candidate for karmic justice which we dread after we learned our lesson the hard way, the first time around.