January 7, 1976 : Nellore
Hari Sauri: Anandamoya, a French devotee stationed in Hyderabad, wanted to clarify what seemed an apparent contradiction concerning the falling down of devotees and the eternal nature of devotional service. He asked, "A devotee who has tasted the nectar of the lotus feet of the Lord can never forget it. Does it mean that his journey in the material world is about to finish?"
Prabhupada didn't answer himself. Instead he said, "Answer, somebody."
Mahamsa replied, "He falls due to certain offenses, but afterwards, by the mercy of a pure devotee, he comes back. Because he has tasted the nectar of devotional service, he may try to enjoy the material world for some time. But afterwards, he will be fed up again and come back."
"There's a statement in the Bhagavad-gita that if one is engaged in the service of the Lord, even if he falls down, he is to be considered saintly," Tamal Krishna said. Prabhupada agreed. "Yes, if it is accidental. If it is purposefully, then he is not saintly; then he is offender."
Another devotee wasn't certain what "accidentally" actually meant. Prabhupada elaborated. "Accident. He had former habit and unknowingly he has done something wrong. That is accident. That is explained by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Not purposefully doing wrong. That is aparadha. Namnad balad yasya hi papa-buddhih."
Prabhupada didn't answer himself. Instead he said, "Answer, somebody."
Mahamsa replied, "He falls due to certain offenses, but afterwards, by the mercy of a pure devotee, he comes back. Because he has tasted the nectar of devotional service, he may try to enjoy the material world for some time. But afterwards, he will be fed up again and come back."
"There's a statement in the Bhagavad-gita that if one is engaged in the service of the Lord, even if he falls down, he is to be considered saintly," Tamal Krishna said. Prabhupada agreed. "Yes, if it is accidental. If it is purposefully, then he is not saintly; then he is offender."
Another devotee wasn't certain what "accidentally" actually meant. Prabhupada elaborated. "Accident. He had former habit and unknowingly he has done something wrong. That is accident. That is explained by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Not purposefully doing wrong. That is aparadha. Namnad balad yasya hi papa-buddhih."
Reference: A Transcendental Diary Volume 1 - Hari Sauri Dasa
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