A devotee should always aspire to live in the association of advanced devotees and engage in the service of the Lord through the parampara system. As soon as we get to know the Absolute Truth, we should become fixed in it. Instead of wasting a single moment of time left, we should be engaged in serving Sri Hari. By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world. — Srimad Bhagavatam, 01.02.07 The Bhagavad-gita (09.30) urges us to recognize as saintly a devotee who, though guilty of grievous misconduct, is still determined to serve Krishna. The next verse (09.31) first assures that such a devotee will soon get reformed and then proclaims that Krishna due to his unfailing love will forever protect such a devotee. The first verse offers a glimpse of the unconditional nature of Krishna’s love: there is nothing that we can ever do, no matter how vicious, that can stop Krishna from loving us. He forever acts as our well-wisher and benefactor, just as the sun forever gives illumination. At the same time, though love can be unilateral, a loving relationship cannot be unilateral; it always has to be bilateral. If we neglect or reject Krishna’s love by filling our heart with non-devotional or anti-devotional desires, then we paralyze our capacity to experience his love, just as closing our eyes disables our capacity to see sunlight. So, Krishna’s love is conditional in the limited sense that we need to cultivate a certain condition of the heart to experience his love. Knowing this, sincere devotees never misuse Krishna’s proclamation in 09.30 to rationalize their own moral lapses. They use 09.30 primarily to continue respecting other devotees who have succumbed to immoral temptations: “If Krishna considers them saintly, so should I.” Earnest devotees fervently regret their misdeeds. And, in the spirit of the next verse (09.31), they return to morality so as to make their heart receptive for experiencing Krishna’s love. 09.31 assures us that return to moral and spiritual integrity is definitely possible, even inevitable and imminent (kshipram bhavati dharmatma). Then, knowing that an inner battle is necessary for attaining that state, 09.31 inspires us to fight by declaring that Krishna with all his omnipotence will protect us (na me bhaktah pranashyati). Bhagavad Gita Chapter 09 Text 30 api cet su-durācāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ samyag vyavasito hi saḥ “Lord Krishna Said : Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.” The word sudurācāro used in this verse is very significant, and we should understand it properly. When a living entity is conditioned, he has two kinds of activities: one is conditional, and the other is constitutional. As for protecting the body or abiding by the rules of society and state, certainly there are different activities, even for the devotees, in connection with the conditional life, and such activities are called conditional. Besides these, the living entity who is fully conscious of his spiritual nature and is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or the devotional service of the Lord, has activities which are called transcendental. Such activities are performed in his constitutional position, and they are technically called devotional service. Now, in the conditioned state, sometimes devotional service and the conditional service in relation to the body will parallel one another. But then again, sometimes these activities become opposed to one another. As far as possible, a devotee is very cautious so that he does not do anything that could disrupt his wholesome condition. He knows that perfection in his activities depends on his progressive realization of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Sometimes, however, it may be seen that a person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness commits some act which may be taken as most abominable socially or politically. But such a temporary fall down does not disqualify him. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated that if a person falls down, but is wholeheartedly engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord, the Lord, being situated within his heart, beautifies him and excuses him from that abomination. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogī fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so strong that such an occasional fall down is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some accidental fall down from the ideal path, for, as is explained in the next verse, such occasional fall downs will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore a person who is situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and is engaged with determination in the process of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare should be considered to be in the transcendental position, even if by chance or accident he is found to have fallen. The words sādhur eva, he is saintly, are very emphatic. They are a warning to the non-devotees that because of an accidental fall down a devotee should not be derided; he should still be considered saintly even if he has fallen down accidentally. And the word mantavyaḥ is still more emphatic. If one does not follow this rule, and derides a devotee for his accidental fall down, then he is disobeying the order of the Supreme Lord. The only qualification of a devotee is to be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service. The mark of a spot which may be seen on the moon does not become an impediment to the moonlight. Similarly, the accidental falldown of a devotee from the path of a saintly character does not make him abominable. On the other hand, one should not misunderstand that a devotee in transcendental devotional service can act in all kinds of abominable ways; this verse only refers to an accident due to the strong power of material connections. Devotional service is more or less a declaration of war against the illusory energy. As long as one is not strong enough to fight the illusory energy, there may be accidental falldowns. But when one is strong enough, he is no longer subjected to such falldowns, as previously explained. Important Note: No one should take advantage of this verse and commit nonsense and think that he is still a devotee. If he does not improve in his character by devotional service, then it is to be understood that he is not a high devotee. When we understand our relationship with God then we all will be happy. It is an essential factor for establishing peace in the world. Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Gurudeva ... All glories to Srila Prabhupada ... Always think of the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna and you will find no difficulties in executing the tasks allotted to you by Krishna. As you clap your hands in praise for success, similarly clap your hands in Sankirtan movement of Holy Names. Chant these names with love and you will feel the ecstasy: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare ... Hare Krishna ... Jay Jagannath ... ~~ Bhakta Sanjay https://facebook/groups/harekrishnaharerama/
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 01:27:24 +0000
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