Two Systems of Justice: One Human, One Divine
In this world, two types of justice systems operate. One is created by humans, while the other is created by God.
■ The Human System of Reward and Punishment
In homes, schools, colleges, courts, and workplaces, people judge and reward others based on their actions. Parents reward or scold their children. Teachers grade students based on their efforts. Employers judge employees, and courts judge citizens.
Sometimes justice is served. However, it is often mixed with human error, bias, or ignorance. There is both fairness and unfairness in the human system.
■ The Divine System: Perfect and Impartial
But God’s system is different. It is flawless. There is no partiality, no mistake, no injustice — ever.
Why do people become atheists or lose faith in God? Because they judge God’s justice through the lens of human courts. They fail to see that divine justice operates on a higher plane. To understand life clearly, we must distinguish the two systems.
How Does God Give the Fruits of Actions?
God gives the results of karma in three forms:
- Jāti (Birth/Form)
- Āyu (Lifespan)
- Bhoga (Enjoyment of resources)
“जातिः आयुः भोगः” (“Jātiḥ āyuḥ bhogaḥ”)— these are the forms of karmic fruit.
1. Jāti –The Form of Birth
If a soul receives a human body, an animal body, or that of a bird — it is a result of karma. Being born as a cow, dog, tree, insect, or human is the ‘category’ or form (jati) of birth, given by God.
The human divisions of caste — like Sharma, Verma, Khandelwal, Chawla, etc. — are not true jati. These are social groups created by men. The real jati is the species — human, bird, animal, or insect.
Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati said:
“Jāti is that which remains from birth to death — human, animal, bird, etc.”
Your jati can change in the next life, depending on your karma.
If one commits negative actions, they may be reborn in a lower form — like a dog, a snake, or even an insect. If good karma is done, one may rise higher. This is divine justice.
2. Āyu –Lifespan
The lifespan of a being — whether it’s 10 years (like a dog), 20 years (like a horse), or 80 years (like a human) — is another karmic result.
3. Bhoga – Enjoyment of Life’s Resources
What you eat, drink, wear, and the comfort of your surroundings — all come under ‘bhoga’. A person may be born into wealth or poverty, health or sickness, abundance or lack. A cow eats grass; a lion must hunt. A wealthy person may enjoy sweets; a poor person may struggle to afford bread. These are all the effects of past karma.
“As you sow, so shall you reap.” — Biblical Proverb
4. Karma Is Unavoidable
Every soul must bear the fruit of their deeds — if not in this life, then in the next. There is no escape. That’s why we must be vigilant and careful in our actions.
Right Actions Lead to Peace
If we choose good deeds, our present and future will be peaceful and blessed. If we choose wrong, we’ll pay for it through suffering in future lives.
“He who knowingly does wrong is like a thief who steals from his own soul.”
If someone knows what is right but still chooses the wrong path — due to habits, desires, or peer pressure — they will not be spared from pain.
The Beginning of True Yoga: Loving All Beings
Just as a cow deeply loves her newborn calf, we must learn to develop deep love and empathy for all creatures. This is the beginning of true yoga — to abandon hatred and adopt universal compassion.
Let us ask ourselves honestly: how do we treat those closest to us?
The Face Reveals the Soul
Some faces radiate joy and confidence. Others show sadness and hopelessness. What does this tell us?
When a person loses faith in themselves, they lose the game of life. When you are defeated from within, no victory in the world can save you. But if you rise from within, no enemy can defeat you.
“Victory starts from within.”
When the World Opposes You
People may oppose you out of ignorance or selfishness. Don’t fear them. Instead, surrender to:
- God
- Your parents
- Your guru or spiritual guide
- Wise and well-wishing elders
If you live with sincerity and follow divine guidance, you will be filled with strength, confidence, and peace. You won’t lose to the world because you will have already won over yourself.
When Happiness Becomes a Trap
Even happiness can mislead. In celebrations like weddings, people may drink excessively. They lose control over speech, action, and judgment — and commit mistakes in the name of fun.
When Suffering Becomes a Teacher
Later in life, when sickness comes — like cancer — the same person regrets:
“Why did I smoke for 20 years? Why did I drink for so long?”
Pain opens the eyes that pleasure keeps shut.
Yes, we learn many things in schools and colleges. But often, it’s pain that teaches us the deepest lessons.
“Pain is often the greatest teacher.”
Learn from Others — Don’t Wait for Suffering
Wise people learn not just from their own mistakes, but from the suffering of others. You don’t have to fall into a pit to know it’s deep. Learn from those who fell before you.
Even small mistakes can be enough to awaken us. If you burn your finger once, do you need to burn your whole hand to learn?
“A wise man learns from the pain of others. A fool learns only when the pain becomes his own.”
The True Path: Live According to Divine Law
Use your intelligence. Live a dhārmic life. Become a believer. Trust in divine law. Align with the Vedas and spiritual truth. Let your conduct be pure.
This is the way to avoid suffering — and to find lasting peace.
“Let your karma be clean, your heart be soft, your mind be sharp, and your soul be free.”
