WHY did the Supreme Being create a material world full of suffering and misery? The writings of Tusta Krishna Das clearly explain the issue:

“The living being is gifted with free will, which allows him to either serve God or not. Those who serve Him of their own volition remain in association with God in the spiritual world. Many living beings are in this situation. Those who choose to live for themselves leave the spiritual dimension to go to the material world, where they endeavor to find happiness independent from God.

Spiritual dimension

“The fact that the living entity exercises free will is very important. It renders the Supreme Entity blameless. If a drunken person finds himself in the gutter and curses the person who made it, he is avoiding reality. He doesn’t recognize his responsibility for his lamentable situation. God can’t be blamed for our worldly suffering.

“Some souls try to play God in the material world. They seek happiness in various ways. Since the soul is by nature the Supreme Being’s servant, he can’t find actual happiness as he pursues pleasures away from His service—because he can’t act against his nature. Thus, no matter what he possesses or accomplishes, he’ll never be fully satisfied! Real pleasure is found in the spiritual dimension, not in the material world.

“Only ignorant people can declare that God is incapable of creating an abode of pure and uninterrupted bliss, because they don’t see beyond the material sphere. Without the proper perspective, they’re unable to see its purpose.

“Out of kindness and concern for us, God designed a world that doesn’t merely cater to attempted enjoyment—it likewise brings about rehabilitation. Ideally, a prison is really meant for reformation, not punishment.

The world then is likened to a reform school: It is designed by God to allow living beings to pursue their quest for happiness, even without Him. But, simultaneously, it also helps them reform!"