Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Verse 30

[bilva]

Chapter 9. The Most Confidential Knowledge

TEXT 30
api cet su-duracaro
bhajate mam ananya-bhak
sadhur eva sa mantavyah
samyag vyavasito hi sah

SYNONYMS
api--in spite of; cet--although; su-duracarah--one committing the
most abominable actions; bhajate--engaged in devotional service; mam--
unto Me; ananya-bhak--without deviation; sadhuh--saint; eva--
certainly; sah--he; mantavyah--to be considered; samyak--completely;
vyavasitah--situated; hi--certainly; sah--he.

TRANSLATION
Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in
devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is
properly situated.

EXPLANATION
The word suduracaro 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 Krsna
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 Krsna consciousness. Sometimes, however, it may be seen
that a person in Krsna consciousness commits some act which may be
taken as most abominable socially or politically. But such a temporary
falldown does not disqualify him. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam 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 yogi
fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared;
but Krsna consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown
is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is
always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some accidental
falldown from the ideal path, for, as is explained in the next verse,
such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a
devotee is completely situated in Krsna consciousness.
Therefore a person who is situated in Krsna consciousness and is
engaged with determination in the process of chanting Hare Krsna, Hare
Krsna, Krsna Krsna, 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
nondevotees that because of an accidental falldown a devotee should
not be derided; he should still be considered saintly even if he has
fallen down accidentally. And the word mantavyah is still more
emphatic. If one does not follow this rule, and derides a devotee for
his accidental falldown, 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. 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.

Following is a quotation by Swami Gaurangapada:
"The spiritual quest begins where the material quest ends."

Please chant Nityananda, Gauranga and Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, to
be engaged in devotional service.