Earthquakes have occurred and stuck mankind even before the birth of modern science and inspite of research and study we have failed to predict the timing of the earthquakes. Earthquakes have caused many disasters in the history of mankind.
Scientists tell us that an earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. They give explanations of the hypocentre, epicentre and the fault planes and their inter-play for an earthquake to happen. Questions about how, where, why, etc are answered by science journals and these days we have TV channels and print media that focus only on such scientific explanation to the devastation caused by earthquakes.
If some animals and their behaviour before an earthquake or any natural changes in weather conditions can tell when an earthquake or natural change in weather is coming is something that does not get any attention. On the other hand we have people across the entire history of mankind who have subscribed to the understanding that such earthquakes are effects of the misdeeds of the mankind on earth. But after every earthquake we have seen religious organizations take steps to organize relief material to the victims along with other relief organizations. On the streets and in religious quarters the response is always the same, the misdeeds of man has come to play. People here in Goa would say “paathkaaleache dees” or still further “kalyug chal raha hai” or “Allah ka kahar aagaya logon ke kale kartooth ke waja say”. This is a common response.
Science does not have the tools to deny it and neither does it have the tool to approve such an understanding just as it does not have the tool to predict it. All religious scriptures have warned mankind of earthquakes and other natural disasters.
In the aftermath of Japan 2011 earthquake–tsunami the socially weak Japanese society that has been severing the ties among its members and is facing suicide and lonely death phenomenon woke up to deal with a stupendous natural disaster. Should we not say that this is a momentous change? With the puncturing of the myth of nuclear power’s safety, fundamental rethinking has begun on the way in which modern people look upon and interact with science and technology.
On that note we have to think if such an understanding (religious insights into the occurrence of earthquakes) will help us deal with issues facing mankind. Modern outlook to life propagated through media and education cannot deny the other opinion and thrust it behind sight and ignore the demarcation between good and evil and legalize all acts still considered immoral and bad for the stature of human life and social well being. Can we, then, all the Hindus, Christians , Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and others unite and act against the established vices in the society that all consider as vice? As we stand united after every disaster to provide relief can we stand united against the tsunami of alcoholism, drug abuse, self centered material lives, female foeticide, adultery and other commonly accepted evils.
