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Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 9.30
अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक् ।
साधुरेव स मन्तव्य: सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि स: ॥ ३० ॥
api cet su-durācāro
bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ
samyag vyavasito hi saḥ
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.
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioWhat this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.
3 study points
Even if someone commits a terrible act, one firmly determined in devotional service is to be considered saintly.
Prabhupāda explains that this means an accidental fall, not permission to do wrong. Kṛṣṇa purifies those wholeheartedly serving Him.
Do not mock a devotee for an accidental fall, or use this verse to excuse deliberate wrongdoing.
Even if a devotee is imperfect, Krishna takes him as saintly — Why:
Because he is properly situated in his determination (9.30)
And he quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace (9.31)
‘Su-duracharah’ — Very significant word
Two kinds of Activities: Conditioned living entity has 2 kinds of activities – conditional and constitutional
Conditional – Those ‘for protecting the body’ or ‘for my abiding by the rules of society and state’
Constitutional/Transcendental – Activities of living entities, being conscious of spiritual nature (Engagement in devotional service)
Activities may be parallel or opposed: In conditioned state, sometimes devotional and conditional acts parallel each other and sometimes they oppose each other
Devotee tries to balance: Devotee tries his best not to disrupt his wholesome condition knowing that perfection in his activities depend upon progressive realisation of Krishna consciousness
Abominable acts does not disqualify
Sometimes a Krishna conscious person acts abominably socially or politically
Such temporary fall-down does not disqualify him
Ref. SB – If such a person is whole heartedly engaged in transcendental service of Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord in the heart purifies him and excuses him for that act FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 9.30 continued…
“Sadhur eva” — Emphatic expression of “He is saintly”
A person situated in Krishna consciousness engages with determination in chanting Hare Krishna
Should be considered transcendental – Not to deride for accidental falldown
“Mantavyah” — Makes it still more emphatic – If we deride someone like this, then we are disobeying the Lord’s order
Ref. Nrsimha Purana — Analogy: Compares accidental fallen or abominable acts of a devotee to be like mark of a rabbit on the moon – Such spots do not impede diffusion of the bright moonlight
In that perspective only qualification of a devotee is — To be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service
CAUTION! Do not take it as allowance to act in all abominable ways
Only for Accidental Falldown – Only refers to accident due to strong power of material connections
Devotional Service and War: Devotional service is declaring war against illusory energy
WARNING! Till we are not strong enough — there may be accidental falldowns
Do not take free license: If one does not improve in his character by devotional service, it is to be understood he is not a high devotee
Texts 9.29 & 9.30
Krishna personally maintains and cares for His devotees. Even if His devotee were to perform a heinous act, Krishna would nevertheless protect and purify him.
Texts 9.30 & 9.31
Still, the question may be raised — “How can a person who is “su- duracara” (committing highly improper activities) be regarded as saintly?”
Pure devotional service – If one worships Krishna with devotion or even offers Him the fruit of his work, one becomes free from reactions and comes to Him. Worship is simple and result is super excellent (9.26 – 9.28)
Krishna shows favouritism to His devotee. He considers a devotee saintly, even if he’s committed a horrible act, and He quickly purifies the devotee (9.29 – 9.31)
Devotional Service purifies all. By thinking of Krishna, offering Him obeisances and being absorbed in Him, one goes back to Godhead, regardless of his position (9.32 – 9.34)
Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.
The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.
Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
What does BG 9.30 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?
Offer one act today with devotion.
Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.
Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.