Can a devotee having past illicit violations get the mercy of Krishna?
Two questions from two devotees:
(1) A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna Prabhu ji, Thanks for your all postings it is helping me a lot to progress towards Lord Krishna , as i ashame to disclose to you that i committed most big sinfull activity that i had a illicit connection for a short period before 2 years at that time i was working as service manager in a company but i lost that job while demonetisation happened. After that, I started my own business. My business also not going well from last 4 years. i am associated with iskcon. i am chanting 16 rounds every from last 3 years but some how i fallen into maya came through a wrong no.( phone ) after that i changed my phone no. & disconnected clearly from that bad association & several times i begged for giveness with Srila Prabhupada & Lord Krishna. i feel always bad & guily to cheated my wife although she is a beautifil & a nice devotee of the lord . But i never disclosed my offence to any one except Prabhupada & Krishna bcz i cant cheat them or hide anything. Right now i am suffering like anything for misused my independence, its getting lot difficulty even for my survival of family expenses. So please please give me a way how to get rid of this sin. i learnt a great lesson with this. i promoise i will never commit such activity in future Please Prabhu ji give me a way how to come out from this great sin. My Rashi Kadagam & pushya Star although i am chanting almost 16 rounds almost daily my mind not purified completely my mind changes daily. i dont have a fixed consciousness on the lotus feet of the lord. i am not getting proper job also. after i lost the job, i am trying still my business also not helping me. Its going awkward situation but some how i am chanting mostly without break, i read srimad bhagavatham daily one sloka already completed Bhagavad gita as it is. i am hearing many temple lectures, i am reading kc book. ,please help me to come out from this. my name is…………………pls hide my name .”
(2) A girl devotee asked like this (I have hidden her name):
“Hare krishna prabhuji We know that we have to follow 4 rules in KC. IF a person broken rule as being a non devotee. Just example there are many people I know who violate with their boyfriend n girlfriend. Because they called it love. What is going to happen with them?? And if he/she realise that it is not love …It is sin. How can they get mercy of Krishna?”
REPLY:
Anyone can get the mercy of Krishna. Even the most serious sinners!
Krishna Himself says in Bhagavad Gita Ch-9, Text-30 like this:
“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.”
Srila Prabhupada says in his purport to this verse:
………………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 Krishna consciousness. Sometimes, however, it may be seen that a person in Krishna consciousness commits some act which may be taken as most abominable socially or politically. But such a temporary fall own 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, purifies him and excuses him from that abomination. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogi fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Krishna 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 explained in the next verse, such occasional fall downs will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Krishna consciousness.
Therefore a person who is situated in Krishna consciousness and is engaged with determination in the process of chanting “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, 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 sadhur 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 accidentally fallen down. 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 one is disobeying the order of the Supreme Lord. The only qualification of a devotee is to be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service.
In the Narsimha Puraṇa the following statement is given:
bhagavati ca harāv ananya-ceta
bhrsa-malino ’pi virajate manuṣyaḥ
na hi aaaa-kaluṣa-cchabiḥ kadacit
timira-parabhavatam upaiti candraḥ
The meaning is that even if one fully engaged in the devotional service of the Lord is sometimes found engaged in abominable activities, these activities should be considered to be like the spots that resemble the mark of a rabbit on the moon. Such spots do not become an impediment to the diffusion of moonlight. Similarly, the accidental fall down of a devotee from the path of 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 fall downs. But when one is strong enough, he is no longer subjected to such fall downs, as previously explained. 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.”
Now, let me continue my counselling:
As said in this verse, Krishna forgives accidental fall downs of devotees.
Krishna is that much merciful and protects His devotees as a reward to their devotional service. When His devotee falls some times, Krishna acts soon and set him right.
In fact, Krishna’s mercy is already available for all of us, including the atheists.
How?
Can you remain without food for 3-4 days? You will suffer. Can you live on platforms? You won’t prefer.
But, Lord is giving food, dress and shelter to even atheists who deny His existence and spread this negative message to the world.
How merciful Lord is to take care of the maintenance of even those who refuse His existence!
Then, won’t He show His mercy to the devotees who some times commit mistakes because of the effect of maya? You are spending a part of your life for Krishna. So, He will, in fact, love you and show mercy. Krishna is very kind and innocent. Even a small service to Him will be much appreciated and reciprocated.
Krishna is merciful. So, though a person had violations with many persons, he can get the mercy of Krishna. After that, good things will start to happen for him.
But, it is conditional, not an open ticket. There are conditions as mentioned below:
(1) You should cry and resolve in front of the picture of Krishna that you will NOT COMMIT such offences in future throughout your life. You should follow that pledge.
(2) You should dedicate your life for the service of Lord performing all the recommended devotional practices like chanting, worships, offering food, etc, and also take care of your family and assigned duties without attachments.
If you follow the above two things, you will definitely get the mercy of Krishna. No doubt in it. The punishments for your past sins will be moderated so that you can bear them and you will be purified fast by facing the reactions fast but successfully.
Then, you too can go back to Krishna if you follow Pure devotion throughout life after taking the above pledge.
So, take pledge and Start chanting Hare Krishna sincerely. It will suspend all your past karma/ sins till you are following the devotional practices sincerely.
Hope this helps.