If some saints were believed to possess extraordinary spiritual powers, and they prayed intensely and selflessly for the welfare of others, why didn't those prayers produce a world where suffering was substantially abolished?

 To substantially abolish suffering in this world then death would have to go. That is contrary to the design of this world where everyone who is born dies.

Saints with extraordinary spiritual powers realize this and facilitate those interested in leaving this world. That’s is the only solution to suffering because this world is designed by the Lord to result in suffering for those who try to control and enjoy it separately from Krishna.

Great saints never try to oppose the will of the Lord who has designated this world as a place of misery. They know what the purpose is behind the suffering, and that no amount of material adjustment can ever change the nature of this world.

What’s the best thing someone can do for a fish that is flapping helplessly on the bank of a river? Put some shade over it? Put fish food close to it? Spray water on it? Play music to it? Or…put it back in the river?

Fish belong in water. We belong in the spiritual world.

So saintly people try to get us out of this place of inherent suffering, and back to Krishna’s abode.

This is explained by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita.

From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again. Bg 8.16

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