Q55. Are we all born in ignorance?

Yes. “All living beings are in utter ignorance from birth. They are deluded, due to hate and desires. Those persons whose sinful activities have come to an end, and are now pious, free from hate and desires, are able to engage in devotional service unto Me with determination.” (Lord Krishna, BhagavadGita 7.27-28) As stated in this verse, we are all born in ignorance and we develop good qualities or bad qualities, based on how we are brought up by our parents and elders. We can develop good qualities by following the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita which includes not engaging in sinful activities like animal killing, gambling, lust, greed, alcohol, drugs, and hatred. Then our mind will not be misled, and we will have good chances of knowing God and engage in His service. “Being freed from attachments, fear, anger, and fully situated in thought of Me, many have become purified by penance and knowledge of Me. They all attained pure love for Me. (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.10) The purpose of religion is to achieve love of God. In this verse, Lord Krishna states that those who surrender unto Him with sincerity and engage in His service, become purified. They are freed from material attachments, fear, anger, and attain pure love of Him (God).