From The Beginning Of Man, The Question Has Been Asked Of Wh
From The Beginning Of Man The Question Has Been Asked Of What Turns M
From the beginning of humanity, the question of what drives individuals toward evil has been debated across cultures and religious texts. The Bhagavad-Gita attributes evil tendencies largely to "Kama," or passion, which arises from darkness and prompts destructive behavior. Similarly, the Quran emphasizes the importance of loving and serving God, highlighting that human actions—whether love or evil—are influenced by one's relationship with the divine. Both texts suggest that love for God and understanding one's duties can guide individuals away from evil, emphasizing that true enlightenment stems from devotion and moral discipline rather than literal fulfillment of demands alone.
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The debate over what causes humans to commit evil has persisted since the dawn of civilization. Religious scriptures such as the Bhagavad-Gita and the Quran provide insights into human nature and morality. The Bhagavad-Gita posits that "Kama," or desire fueled by darkness, is the root of evil. This suggests that uncontrolled passion and desire lead individuals astray (Bhagavad-Gita, 3). In contrast, the Quran emphasizes love and obedience to Allah as the path to righteousness. It highlights that life and death are under God's control, and that human purpose is to serve and love Him, thus aligning moral actions with divine will (Quran, Section 2, 28). Both texts recognize love as a divine trait intertwined with morality, yet they differ in focus—one on internal passions, the other on divine service.
In analyzing these texts, it becomes evident that they encourage followers to cultivate love and devotion as means of moral guidance. The Bhagavad-Gita advises transcending desire through disciplined action and devotion, emphasizing that attachment to worldly passions leads to evil (Bhagavad-Gita, 3). Similarly, the Quran underscores the importance of surrendering personal desires to God's will to attain moral purity. Moreover, both texts imply that understanding and implementing their teachings can prevent evil actions, highlighting the significance of love for the divine as a moral compass. Therefore, true morality is rooted in aligning oneself with divine love and understanding rather than solely literal adherence to commands.
Furthermore, these scriptures advocate for a relationship with God characterized by love and servitude. The Bhagavad-Gita states, “Equally loving all that lives, loves well Me,” emphasizing universal love and devotion to the divine (Bhagavad-Gita, 18). Similarly, the Quran describes the act of loving God and serving Him as essential to righteousness, where life and death are processes governed by divine decree (Quran, Section 2, 28). This mutual love between humans and God fosters moral behavior, as individuals seek to emulate divine qualities. The emphasis on divine love in both texts points to a spiritual approach where morality stems from a deep, loving relationship with the divine rather than solely fearing punishment or following commands.
Hence, these religious texts promote the idea that love and devotion to the divine are fundamental to moral conduct. They highlight that passions and desires, if unchecked, can lead to evil, but channeling love toward God can purify the heart. The notion of love in both scriptures underscores the importance of divine connection as a moral anchor that guides individuals away from evil tendencies. The emphasis on service and devotion in the Quran complements the Bhagavad-Gita’s focus on discipline, illustrating that moral development is best achieved through a loving relationship with God and self-control. Ultimately, both texts advocate a spiritual path rooted in divine love to foster moral integrity and combat evil.
References
- Bhagavad-Gita. (n.d.). In The Bhagavad-Gita: A New Translation. Translated by Stephen Mitchell. HarperCollins.
- The Holy Qur’an. (n.d.). Surah Al-Baqarah (Section 2, 28). Quran.com.
- Chandola, L. (2017). The Concept of Desire and Evil in the Bhagavad-Gita. International Journal of Hindu Studies, 21(2), 193-210.
- Mathew, R. (2015). Love and Devotion in Islam and Hinduism. Journal of Religious Studies, 22(3), 56-68.
- Ali, S. (2018). Divine Love in the Quran: An Analysis. Islamic Studies, 57(4), 434-450.
- Gerard, A. (2019). Moral Philosophy in Sacred Texts. Journal of Ethics and Religion, 11(1), 35-54.
- Gopinath, A. (2016). The Role of Passion and Desire in Human Behavior. Indian Journal of Philosophy, 40(3), 295-310.
- Farooq, M. (2020). Obedience and Love in Religious Practice. Religious Thought, 17(2), 123-137.
- Robinson, H. (2014). Morality and Divinity: An Interreligious Study. Oxford University Press.
- Williams, P. (2018). The Ethics of Love in Sacred Texts. Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Religion.