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This is an Ati-prasna or transcendental question. You will find this question coming up to
your mind in various forms: When did Karma begin? When and why was the world created?
Why is there evil in the world? Why did the Unmanifest manifest itself? And so on. The same
question is asked by Rama in Yoga Vasishtha and Vasishtha says: “You are putting the cart
before the horse. You will not be benefited by an enquiry into this question at all. Meditate and
realize Brahman. You Will then know the answer to this question. The problem itself will have
dissolved by then”. No one can answer this question. When Knowledge dawns, the question
itself vanishes. Therefore there is no answer to the question at all.
The Brahma Sutra says: Lokavat Tu Lila Kaivalyam. It is only to pacify your doubt. It is
really not an answer; for, there can be no answer. Yet, the question will arise in the case of every
seeker after Truth. You cannot help it. You will have to use your discrimination, pacify the
doubt, and then through intense Sadhana and meditation, realize God. Then the doubt will
vanish. A great Yogi and Jnani was worried with this doubt for twelve years. Then he told me:
“The worry is over now. It troubled me for twelve years. I could not find an answer. So I have
given up that pursuit and have taken to meditation, Japa and Kirtan. Now I find peace and
progress”. Faith in the Guru, in the Grant Sahib, Kirtan, Japa, meditation and practice of
righteousness - these will enable you to progress in the spiritual path and will take you to That
where there is no questioning possible.

From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Informations on Swami Sivananda: on the Website of Divine Life Society, Photographs of Swami Sivananda, German Pages on Swami Sivananda