Good and Bad Actions

Good and Bad Actions

A Visitor: I see evil on all sides and am puzzled.

Sai: Here is this banana. The skin is useless to us, so it is regarded as bad. But if there were no skin, the inside would not be protected. Do not regard anything as bad. If a person has done evil to you and you take it as evil and retaliate, then you also have become bad. But by remaining good and not regarding others as evil, you gain the right to reform them. If there is a bad smell in the room, and if incense is lighted, the fragrance changes the smell of the room. Bad actions should be met with good deeds and good viewpoint, and the evil will be changed. The difference between good and bad is a function of time. Food when eaten is good. In time that same food undergoes a change, is excreted, and is called bad. Whereas truth remains the same and does not change with the passage of time. Therefore, the time sequence is just imagination.

Hislop: The thought arises that some persons are wholly bad, their crimes are so vicious.

Sai: No person is wholly bad, for God is in every person’s heart. A mother and son may fight in court over property, but the relationship of mother and son remains. Two people who have come to hate each other live in two houses. Each has a picture of Baba over the door. The house represents the body, and Baba’s picture represents the God resident in the soul. The body may have to be corrected in its behavior, and the best way is to attract the person with love. There is absolute good, but there is no absolute bad. Bad changes, bad is a distorted aspect of good. But it is not possible when one has the ordinary physical vision to see good and bad as one.

Only when one knows the divine spark in oneself and in others, only then one sees good and bad as the same. If one can adopt as an attitude the truth that good only is real, and that all one sees is essentially good even though distorted, one acquires a great strength if he can see the world this way. The learned might argue about the world and say that all this is illusion and despair, but they can never hope to live without loving the world. Love is not to be disregarded. The world might seem to be untruth from the material viewpoint, but the world is truth if looked at from the transcendental viewpoint.

Hislop: We are asking Swami about the ‘bad’ people. How about the poor victim of vicious action?

Sai: Everyone is good, but there are bad actions; action and reaction. In terms of the victims of bad action, everything was exactly right. We see only the present. Baba sees the past also. A four-year-old boy was attacked by robbers for the gold chain around his neck. The robbers blinded the boy so he could not identify them. The boy was crying bitterly that he could not see. The parents also were crying. They came to Baba. In the past life, the boy had been a cruel man who had blinded several people. The boy will continue to be blind, but as a man if he starts to consider, understanding that he is blind because of past dark deeds, and then sincerely repents for his bad tendencies, and makes a genuine effort to change himself, praying to God to forgive him, Baba may forgive the karma and restore the eyesight.

Hislop: How should we relate to so-called ‘bad’ people?

Sai: Keep the body separate from people who give bad food to the senses, even though all are brothers. Let souls be in God, but bodies apart.

Hislop: Often it is very difficult to choose the right action. How may one acquire the ability to make this discrimination?

Sai: Every man has the discrimination to know what right action is and what is wrong action. Wrong action develops guilt feelings. Whereas right action is free and without such fear.

Source: Conversations with Bhagavan

Good and Bad Actions

Human life is shaped by choices, thoughts, and deeds. Every action leaves an impression on the mind and influences the future. Good and Bad Actions play a very important role in determining peace, happiness, and spiritual growth. When a person performs noble deeds with kindness, honesty, and compassion, positive energy spreads in society. On the other hand, harmful behavior creates suffering, confusion, and negativity. Understanding the difference between right and wrong helps individuals walk on the path of wisdom and inner harmony.

The idea of Good and Bad Actions has been discussed in spiritual teachings for centuries. Good deeds include helping others, speaking truth, respecting parents, caring for nature, and living with humility. Such actions purify the heart and create a sense of satisfaction that money cannot buy. Even a small act of kindness can bring light into someone’s life. Many saints and spiritual masters have taught that serving humanity is one of the highest forms of worship. According to the teachings shared by Devotional India, selfless service and compassion strengthen the connection between the soul and the Divine.

In contrast, bad deeds arise from anger, greed, jealousy, and selfishness. Hurting others through words or actions disturbs both the mind and society. A dishonest life may offer temporary gain, but it eventually brings fear and unrest. Good and Bad Actions are like seeds planted in the field of life. Good seeds produce peace and joy, while negative seeds create sorrow and regret. This understanding encourages people to think carefully before acting.

Modern life often distracts individuals from spiritual values. Competition, stress, and material desires can make people forget the importance of righteousness. Yet, true happiness cannot be achieved without moral living. Practicing patience, forgiveness, and gratitude helps a person rise above negativity. Spiritual platforms like Devotional India remind seekers that inner transformation begins with daily discipline and mindful behavior. When people choose kindness over hatred, they create a better environment for everyone around them.

Another important lesson connected with Good and Bad Actions is the law of karma. Every deed carries consequences. Positive actions bring blessings, while harmful actions eventually return as difficulties. This law is not meant to punish but to teach responsibility. A wise person understands that every moment offers an opportunity to improve and grow spiritually. By practicing truthfulness and self-control, one can gradually overcome weaknesses and develop noble qualities.

Families and teachers also play a significant role in guiding children toward good conduct. Values learned during childhood often remain throughout life. Respect, discipline, and empathy create strong character and help individuals make better decisions. According to insights shared on Devotional India, spiritual education is essential for building a peaceful society. When people follow moral principles, relationships become stronger and communities become more harmonious.

The journey of life is deeply connected with Good and Bad Actions. Every individual has the freedom to choose between positive and negative paths. By choosing honesty, compassion, and service, one moves closer to inner peace and spiritual fulfillment. Bad behavior may appear attractive for a short time, but it never brings lasting happiness. Therefore, wise people always try to fill their lives with goodness, purity, and love. The teachings of saints, scriptures, and platforms like Devotional India continue to inspire humanity to rise above negativity and live a meaningful life through awareness of Good and Bad Actions.

-Control Your Senses