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Philosophy: Should a devotee be excused for an accidental falldown?

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      CommentAuthorrasa108
    • CommentTimeDec 22nd 2007
     
    "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."

    BG 9:30 Purport
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      CommentAuthorabhiram
    • CommentTimeDec 23rd 2007
     
    so you answered yourself i guess.
    :)
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      CommentAuthormishra
    • CommentTimeDec 23rd 2007 edited
     
    Two points of view here:
    1. every devotee should follow the above
    2. those in position of authorities should discriminate as their service is sometimes to judge for the good of their dependants.
    Problem comes in the application. What we generally see in this world is politically weak persons are punished mercilessly and elite are liberally applied api cet suduracaro.
    philosophy is clear, practical life is so unjust.
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      CommentAuthorrasa108
    • CommentTimeDec 23rd 2007 edited
     
    The other consideration is how to know if the falldown was accidental or not....who is to judge that and act on it? "If he does not improve in his character by devotional service, then it is to be understood that he is not a high devotee."...does this refer to repeated falldowns?

    "Therefore, the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare should be continued without stoppage. This will protect a devotee from all accidental falldowns. He will thus remain perpetually free from all material contaminations."

    BG 9:31 Purport
  5.  
    Depends on the fault committed!

    But if it's abuse of power,year after year of misappropriation of laksmi,abuse of devotees......the person should be kicked out!
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      CommentAuthorrasa108
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2007
     
    I am not sure about "faults" but the reference is to actual spiritual falldown (illicit sex etc.)
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      CommentAuthormishra
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2007
     
    i must disagree Rasa108.
    from the purport "any social act taken as abominable socially or politically"
    and in 9.31 "mischievous activities"
    otherwise you could do anything provided you follow the 4 regs and still be saintly.
    (probably what has been happening for decades in our movement).
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      CommentAuthorrasa108
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2007 edited
     
    "This will protect a devotee from all accidental falldowns."....It seems to me that "accidental falldown" refers to breaking the principles...my question was how is it determined whether that is accidental or not, and who is to judge that?
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      CommentAuthorccd
    • CommentTimeDec 30th 2007
     
    you will get a different answer from different Prabhus. If you ask Nityananda Prabhu, he will be willing to forgive even the most fallen and repeated offender, Mahaprabhu would not forgive a fallen brahmacari or a bhiksu. He will forgive Jagai and Madhai type (ie all western devotees) on the request of Nityananda Prabhu.

    Do not ask Mahaprabhu for forgiveness, always ask Nitai or his representative.

    You can also see who person represents, if one is not forgiving, he is not representing Prabhu Nityananda Mahajana.

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