Question - Ma, It is said that God is all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful. Why then does He allow so much sorrow and grief to continue in the world that is His creation? How can He be endowed with all those three attributes and in spite of it let the misery of the world run its course? Sri Anandamayi Ma - Everyone has to reap the fruit of his actions. The suffering is for your own best. A mother occasionally gives a slap to her beloved child for his own good, in order to keep him on the right path. God cleanses you from the effects of your actions committed life after life by what you call suffering. When a fond mother gives her baby a bath, the child may scream desperately, yet the mother will not let the baby go until she has thoroughly washed and scrubbed him. Then she will carefully wipe the child, dry his tears and take him on her lap. Likewise, when you have been cleansed, God will comfort you and take you into His arms. Whatever happens in this world is His Lila, His pleasure.