The traditional Lithuanian view of "Blogas" (Eng: Bad / evil)

The Lithuanian word "Blogas" means bad and has the connotation of evil but what is considered to be "bad" to Lithuanians and Baltic peoples?

The concept of what is considered to be bad, rude or evil differs in different cultures and is often reflected in religious philosophies of that culture. What is considered to be ethically right and polite can be seen as unethical and impolite in another. There are many examples of this as seen in the differences in business practices across the international stage. There are many, many social expectations that may exist in some cultures that aren't in others and this may cause grievances if this is not met with some degree of understanding. For example,:

*Hiring a House Keeper or Grounds Person in a poor country may be seen as expected and a way of supporting the community whereas other cultures may see this simply being lazy and spending cash unwisely. 

*In Australia, during the 2000 Olympics, guides, staff and volunteers were instructed to show directions with an open hand instead of pointing. Many cultures see pointing as a sign of rudeness so the Australia government made these directives to make international visitors and everyone to feel welcome.

Lithuanians are very superstitious by nature and as a result, have led to many social expectations which if not observed can lead to being labelled a rude person. For example,"

*Shaking hands over the threshold in a Lithuanian house is believed to invite calamity.

*When visiting or invited to a Lithuanian persons home, it is rude to come empty handed. 

*Refusing hospitality in a Lithuanian home is not only arrogant and insulting but is seen as rude and ungrateful.

The list of what is considered to be bad or rude in the modern Lithuanian mindset is quite endless and I could imagine that traditional Lithuanians had their own set of social "No-no's". I believe that the peoples of most cultures, like the Lithuanians, avoid what is bad or rude and act accordingly to the code of conduct in their own culture leading to what we now know as "social norms".

Every culture has it's own views on what is truly evil and I can tell you now that Lithuanians have their own unique view on this subject. Krivis Jonas Trinkunas, founder of Romuva in Lithuania, expounded in one of the many books that he authored that is that true evil occurs when,

 there is an absence of Darna(Harmony) and that Harmony cannot be restored. 

Some clear examples of this can be observed when,:

*there is environmental destruction where the harmony of ecosystems have ceased, leading to the ,threat of extinction, or the final extinction, of many plants and animals.

*a person suffers the lack of harmony within themselves which may manifest itself as poor mental health, lack of emotional well being or poor physical health. Medication and professional help may be needed to restore harmony.

*strife, injury or even death can eventuate when there is a lack of harmony in a community.

There are many examples of how the lack of harmony can lead to a Blogas situation. This Lithuanian idea of "right and wrong", not only directed the way people passed their life but was also affected their views on the afterlife. Like many other cultures, Lithuanians always had the view of posthumuos retribution which basically says that everyone gets their just rewards after death. 

A description can be found, in certain Lithuanian folk tales of how mean and unjust landlords, after death, are transformed into work horses that are ridden tirelessly by Velniai in the Underworld. There are other images of the deceased being transformed into sheep who are being cared for by a shepherd known as Velnias. The image is of some well fed and fat Sheep grazing happily on stony ground while other skinny and malnourished Sheep are grazing in lush green pastures but are never satiated. The belief concerning this image was that the fat, well fed Sheep grazing on stony ground are people, who, in life, were content with less while the skinny sheep grazing on lush meadows were once selfish people who were never satisfied in life.

Lithuanians of the past, not only held the belief that there are post mortem consequences for their actions in life but that there are also consequences that occur during a persons life as shown in many of customs that relate to the well being of that person. For example, 

*Lithuanian hunters would be known to make an offering of the best meat of their first kill to the Goddess Medeina to ensure future hunting success.

*Bread,salt and water were offered to hearth Goddess, Gabija, to ensure protection for the house and for all those who live in it.

*There are too many traditional Lithuanian customs to name which ensure a good harvest.

*There are many traditional Lithuanian folk customs for protection against being struck by lightning and herbal folk remedies to heal the body.

There are many "actions" that Lithuanians, past and present, performed in an attempt to influence their own present and future. These "actions" of the Lithuanians can easily be connected with the idea and meaning of the Sanskrit word "Karma". This word, "Karma" was mentioned often in the Rig Veda and literally means "action". Originally the word referred to the action of the Universe and offering to it but it now has the connotation of "cause and effect" or divine retribution/reward depending on a persons actions in this lifetime and previous lifetimes to determine their future life. These similar ideologies may point to a further connection between Lithuanians and South Asian Indians. Further research is required but it would appear that the founders of Romuva are right,

there is a clear connection with the native faith of the Lithuanians and the inherited Faith of the South Asian Indian peoples.

Concluding Thoughts

The concept of "good and Bad/evil", "right and wrong" are culturally defined and can be reflected in religious beliefs. These concepts dictate appropriate behavior and clearly demonstrate that there is no real need for a sacred text to dictate proper behavior. Lithuanians never had a sacred book but I believe that their moral behavior was of high standing because of this understanding of the need to maintain, foster and grow Darna (Harmony) in their lives.

Lithuanian peoples and many other cultures,not only believed in posthumous retribution but also in the positive or negative effects from their own actions during life. I speculate that understanding of this was what most probably guided Lithuanian peoples to be upright. Most Lithuanians of old had an understanding of the potential consequences if they chose to break the rules. I'm sure there were always bad people, as in every culture, but I think they'd be the exception and not the rule. At least I'd hope anyway.

 There appears to be a connection between the worldview of the Lithuanian peoples and the South Asian Indian peoples regarding the actions and offerings needed to maintain a happy and peaceful life. These actions performed by ,Lithuanians of the past, clearly demonstrated the same philosophy that can be referred to by the Sanskrit word, "Karma".

Without making the subject of this post more complicated, I will just say that, according to the late Krivis Trinkunas, the Lithuanians of old believed that,  

evil(blogas) was the result of the lack of Harmony(Darna)

Gruesome Hollywood style movies depicting evil, can be fun to watch but are far removed from the worldview of an adherent of Romuva and Baltic Faith.