Chapter I: Repentance
Answer: Man has got freedom of action but it is not opposed to our opinion that everything is the creation of God and man's freedom of will is also the creation of God. When man wishes, his wish has been created for him. For instance, God created hand, sound and delicious food. He created in mind this knowledge that the greed will be pacified by this food. He created also the contrary thought whether it would be good or injurious if the greed for food is satisfied and whether this kind of food is agreeable or not. He also created this understanding whether it has*got any bar or not. If these causes are united, there comes the will to take that food. As a result of two conflicting thoughts and the greed for food, will comes in and that is called freedom of will. When all the elements are fulfilled, there comes will. When God creates the will and makes it firm. He allows his sound hand to extend towards food, as the unification of will and strength leads compulsorily to action. These two things, will and strength, are the creations of God.
Out of these creation, one thing is guided to another according to a well arranged plan created also by God. There is no change of God's plan. He does not move the hand to an well-arranged writing, till He creates strength in it, till He gives it life and till He creates firm will. He does not raise up firm will till He creates greed in mind. He does not create this greed fully till He creates this knowledge or understanding whether it will
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Vol-IV THE BOOK OF CONSTRUCTIVE VIRTUES 1 1
conform to nature in the present or future. He does not create this understanding without other causes which make movement of limbs, will and knowledge. So understanding and desire of mind follow firm will and strength. Will comes before movement of bodily limbs. This rule is prevalent in every action. So everything is created by God and one thing of His creation depends upon another thing. For instance, will comes after understanding, understanding comes after life, and body comes before life. So the creation of body is necessary for life but not life for body.
Similarly creation of life is necessary for creation of understanding and not creation of understanding for life.
Understanding does not come if there is no life. Understanding has been created to make will firm and not for creation of will.
Will does not come without life and understanding.