Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita Vedanta offers a nuanced and deeply considered response to the perennial challenge of evil and suffering. Within this philosophical framework, evil is neither an independent force nor a mere illusion, but a real aspect of the world that is ultimately subordinate to the divine order. The existence of suffering is explained primarily through the doctrine of karma, which asserts that every individual soul (jiva) experiences the consequences of its own actions, both from this life and from countless previous births. This emphasis on moral responsibility places the onus for suffering on the soul’s own choices, rather than attributing evil to Brahman or divine will.

The souls, according to Ramanuja, are bound by beginningless karma—a state described as anadi bandha. This beginningless bondage circumvents the logical difficulty of pinpointing the origin of evil within a creation that is otherwise perfect. Brahman, as both the material and efficient cause of the universe, remains untouched by the moral taint of evil, transcending dualities such as good and bad. The divine operates as an impartial administrator of karmic law, ensuring that justice prevails through the precise dispensation of rewards and punishments according to each soul’s actions.

Suffering, in this vision, serves a pedagogical purpose. It acts as a catalyst for spiritual growth, purification, and the eventual quest for liberation (moksha). The experience of pain and adversity encourages souls to turn away from transient worldly attachments and to seek a deeper relationship with the divine. Through devotion (bhakti) and spiritual discipline, the soul gradually overcomes ignorance and attachment, coming to recognize its true nature as a mode of Brahman.

Yet, karma alone does not offer the final resolution to the problem of evil. Ramanuja highlights the indispensable role of divine grace (kripa or prasad). While the law of karma explains the distribution of suffering, it is through the compassionate intervention of the divine that souls are ultimately liberated from the cycle of birth, death, and suffering. The inscrutability of divine purpose means that the precise reasons for individual suffering may elude human understanding, but faith in divine justice and grace provides solace and hope for ultimate redemption. In this way, Ramanuja’s philosophy integrates moral responsibility, cosmic justice, and divine compassion into a coherent response to the existence of evil.