Why the devotees should avoid offenses strictly?
A Girl devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
Why is it that even if v do a lil mistake n ppl comment that this is wht ur kc yaught n this is wht u chant. I m nt a regular kc person hence commit mistakes n whn pppl say so ……i think i shld nt chant as i m maligning the holy name coz my own weakness n shory comings
REPLY:
The devotees should avoid offenses strictly because offending devotees can not go back to Krishna and this society magnifies the mistakes of devotees as a big crime. Our Dharma itself wants the brahmanas and devotees to be very strict in not violating from the ethics. Manu says that a brahmana should be given 1000 times more punishments given for other community persons for the same offense.
Why?
If he calls himself a brahmana, he receives more honours from others. Others treat him as the person who knew Brahmam. Hence the name brahmana. So, the brahmana should never violate from the codes of conduct that will be seen as big offense against the people who trust and respect him.
Since the devotees are also expected to develop brahmana qualities, this strict punishment applies for the devotes also.
If I cheat a devotee, I will give 1000 times more punishment given for others because I claim myself as a devotee as well as brahmana.
(As a devotee, my simplicity is not respected in my company. What to do? READ HERE!)
However, Don’t worry.
A Krishna Conscious person is just a sathaka that means spiritual practitioner. He is not a Fully Realized soul and he is not exempted from mistakes. He too may commit mistakes.
Even a self realized sanyasi can commit mistakes accidentally. However, a devotee is expected NOT TO commit mistakes WILLFULLY. His mistakes may be mostly innocent ones. ie, beyond his care.
However, if a devotee is doing these following mistakes/ offences, it will be very serious and he is eligible for getting commented or punished by others:
If a devotee is smoking or drinking and if the world sees that, will it add credit to the devotion? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should never smoke or drink.
(Why some devotees fear to attend ISKCON and follow strict rules? READ HERE!)
If a devotee is ragging girls either alone or in a forum, will it be nice to see? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should never talk to opposite sex without valid reasons.
If a devotee calls a woman for illicit sex or speaks as if it induces that woman to consider sex, will it be viewed softly by the world? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should never induce or involve in illicit sex (though an opposite sex calls)
If a devotee is speaking mundane topics like the affairs between an actor and actress, will it be nice? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should never talk about worthless matters. However, for the school/ college examination purposes, you can talk about current affairs, world today, India today, world history, science, etc.
If a devotee is found watching adult films or books or such contents in his mobile, will this world accept it? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should never see the bodies other than that of your spouse except if you are a doctor.
(I am disturbed to see girl and boy devotees loving inside the temples. What to do? READ HERE)
If a devotee is torturing his daughter in laws or mother in laws, will it be nice? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should always behave mercifully to others.
If a devotee is buying lottery tickets and getting disappointed again and again, will it be his quality? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should earn ONLY through putting some efforts, not by short cuts.
If a devotee is telling lies for getting benefits, will it be nice? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should always speak truth though it may harm you. Lord Rama is the best example for this.
If a devotee is wearing such clothes that expose his/ her sensitive portions of body, will it be viewed ordinarily? If you call yourself as a devotee, you should wear decent dress that does not disturb others.
These are all some serious mistakes/ offences. If you are not doing these things, you need not worry for such comments from the surroundings. Silly mistakes are natural.
(As a devotee, my simplicity is not respected in my company. What to do? READ HERE!)
However, in due course of time, take sincere efforts to avoid even such innocent silly mistakes. Because, this world is watching devotees whether he is a perfect devotee or a fraud.
So, a devotee should be very very careful in his actions and speech and even his thoughts.
Krishna too will bear some small mistakes. If a devotee commits serious offenses, Krishna gives Him severe punishments through experiences and in hells and also gives one or some more births to cleanse him/ her.
Let us try to be a genuine devotee. Let us atleast try. If our desire is genuine, Krishna will reform us in due course of time.
Also remember how this world gets upset and ill treat those so called popular gurus who were caught in violation with money, properties and women. They will lose all their glories and respects and they will be cursed by thousands of people who trusted him.
So, if you want to be known as a devotee, be careful in thoughts and actions The devotees should avoid offenses strictly. The society magnifies the mistakes of devotees as a big crime, or if they miss, Krishna Himself is the witness for all your actions.
Hope this helps.
(How should a brahmachari behave to avoid offenses? READ HERE!)