Quote-Dante's Inferno!

[Guest guest]

UMA has initiated a very interesting thread for an ongoing

stimulating discussion with this wonderful quote from Dante's

Inferno. .

 

I already see various interpretations on this profound statement. .

 

Pyari hari, thank you for that lovely Verse from Rabia of Basra ...

i enjoy reading it every time i hear it. Very Timely.

 

But is there a hell or a Heaven?

 

Hell and heaven are both here right on this planet.For those situated

in 'GOD Consciousness' - this planet can verily be 'vaikunta or

sivaloka ' but for the rest who are always situated in the 'material

mode' ( attached to worldly things - family , wealth etc) this planet

can be worse than hell - It is called 'Maya' Jaal. Thanks, surya for

a lucid elucidation on this.

 

Uma has raised some interesting questions with this all powerful

quote.

 

Take the recent MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE Iin Pakistan.

 

Pakistan is an Islamic state. When President Bush launched his

massive 'air strikes' on Baghdad two years ago, there were huge

demonstrations in Pakistan by all muslims shouting 'down with Bush'

and not only that the protesters burned effigies of George Bush tHE

PAKISTANIS were ouraged that a christian country could launch a full

scale war on an islamic state ( Iraq) ..

 

and add to this the Fact that in the recent subway attacks in

London , the terrorists were identified as London-Pakistanis who

received training in a Pakistan terrorist camp

 

hHow is this related to Dante's quote ?

 

Well, should America and other western nations help Pakistan in this

hour of great human tragedy - where there are already 40, 000

reported dead - The Earthquake region is in total ruins .... Ground

Zero, so to speak.

 

Should the western Nations take an extremist view and say ' well. why

should we help ? after all, this state has been harbouring

terrorists' - this is an extremist view ..

 

The moderate view will be well, help to the extent possible but do

not get too involved - like major reconstruction efforts etc ....

 

Another extreme view would be - " well ! these are fanatic muslims

and are jehadis - they need to pay for sins or for their bad karma,

let them suffer nature's wrath.

 

A moderate view would be - " well, It is a humanitarian crisis. These

are all God's children . Let us help somewhat. "

 

But one cannot remain 'Neutral' not to take a stand on this issue!

 

For this indeed is a Moral crisis - with serious ramifications for

all of the world

 

and Dante correctly says if we remain 'neutral' in times of moral

crisis , we will all 'rot' in Hell ... HE CALLS THOSE WHO REMAIN

NEUTRAL AS SINNERS!

 

This is my understanding ...

 

May be not a great example

 

I may be way off the mark -------------but may be Uma can explain

this better in her own inimitable fashion ....

 

Love and blessings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, "Tatwamasi" <tatwamasi> wrote:

>

> "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in time

> of great moral crises maintain their neutrality." - Dante

> Alighieri (1265-1321)

>

[Guest guest]

hell and heven are just feelings

namasivayam

[Guest guest]

I. Hell, Heaven And Kingdom Of Lord

 

This universe is infinite. I am unable to show the existence of these super

worlds to you. I accept my incapability. But you are also incapable to prove

directly the non-existence of these super worlds. Have you taken all over the

universe and said, " Here ends the universe. Beyond this point there is no

universe. This is the compound wall of the space. Your super world does not

exist anywhere’’. Therefore, there is equal chance for the existence and

non-existence of the super worlds according to the theory of probability.

 

Now let us analyse of our cases. Both of us are eating to live. The basic needs

are satisfied in the cases of both of us. You have spent extra time also in

earning more money, which may give you some problems of health like sugar, B.P

etc., due to over enjoying. I have not earned more money and I am healthy due to

normal food. None of us will carry the money with us after death. The money

given to the children may also be lost in several ways. Therefore, I do not find

much difference between us, once the basic needs are satisfied. I am poor

because I have spent my extra time in the service of God.

 

Suppose after my death, you are correct and there are no super worlds. In such

case what I have lost? There is no loss for me. But after your death, suppose I

am correct and there are super worlds. You have lost every thing and God will

not save you. Thus, even on accepting your argument, based on the equal

probability, it is better to serve the Lord by sacrificing the extra time and

energy for the Lord after earning the basic needs. You must read the theory of

probability, which is perfectly a scientific theory.

 

 

at the lotus feet of shri datta swami

 

surya

 

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