1.) BG 9.12 purport-There are many devotees who assume themselves to be in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service but at heart do not accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, as the Absolute Truth. For them, the fruit of devotional service-going back to Godhead-will never be tasted. Similarly, those who are engaged in fruitive, pious activities and who are ultimately hoping to be liberated from this material entanglement will never be successful either because they deride the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.
2.) May 6th 1973 LA—Kṛṣṇa is not hungry. He is self-satisfied, pūrṇa. But if His devotee offers Him something with love and affection, then He accepts. So do not think that “We have made such nice, sumptuous plate for Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa must eat.” No. There is no such thing, “must.” You cannot make Kṛṣṇa must. That is not possible. So Kṛṣṇa will see how much you have love for Him. Then He will accept. Otherwise He’ll reject. Therefore, it is forbidden, those who are non devotee, those who are not initiated, those who are not chanting regularly, their offering to Kṛṣṇa will not be accepted.We must be very careful. We must know our position, whether I am sincerely following the principles of devotional service. Then Kṛṣṇa will accept.
3.) June 26 1975 LA–Prabhupāda: No. This is, that you can, that anyone who is keeping hairs and not following the rules and regulations, they are rejected from second initiation.
Devotee (2): What if they are keeping hair but they are following the rules and regulations.
Prabhupāda: Then let them follow. That’s a good life. But from external features he must be a Vaiṣṇava.
Devotee (2): To get second initiation.
Devotee (1): Does that mean shaved head?
Prabhupāda: Caitanya Mahāprabhu, when His students used to come without tilaka, so He refused to see his face. He refused to see his face. He said it is a crematory ground.
Devotee (2): Why is that?
Prabhupāda: There is no “why.” If you accept it, accept. If you don’t accept, leave us, leave us. There is no “why.”
Devotee (2): Then that is…
Prabhupāda: You are not following strictly. You cannot ask why.
Devotee (2): We could not ask why when we were following strictly either, Prabhupāda. So I’m sorry that it has to be this way.
Prabhupāda: No, our thing is that we have got some principles. If anyone cannot follow, then we don’t accept him.
Devotee (1): Then what do you do with the rest of the world, except for the few people who…
Prabhupāda: So what I can do I am doing. Therefore you have no right to ask me. What is possible by me I am doing. And those who are able to follow, they are following. That’s all.
Devotee (2): But they cannot engage anyone else. How can you reach the intelligent class?
Prabhupāda: So that is their business. That is not your business.
Devotee (2): We are trying to be disciples, so we considered it our business because we are sincerely trying.
Prabhupāda: So why you are bothering me? You do your business.
Devotee (2): Because from you only…
Prabhupāda: I do not accept you because you are keeping hairs.
Devotee (2): I did not know that.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Devotee (2): You never told me that in Hawaii.
Prabhupāda: Now I say, I’ll repeat that anyone who is keeping long hairs, he is no more my disciple.
July 11 1969 letter– Out of the ten kinds of offenses, the number one offense is to disobey the orders of the Spiritual Master. The instructions given to the disciple by the Spiritual Master at the time of initiation should be strictly followed. That will make one advance to the spiritual path. But if one deliberately defies such instructions, then his advancement is hampered from the very beginning.This defying means to disconnect the relationship with the Spiritual Master. And anyone who defies and therefore disconnects the relationship with the Spiritual Master can hardly expect the assistance of the Spiritual Master life after life. I hope this will clear up this question sufficiently for you.
Some Conclusions– Every devotee knows that if we chant the names of God, we become sinless. It is also said in the sastra that there is no amount of sin that only one Holy Name of God cannot eliminate or neutralize. Assuming it is done without any offenses.
On the other hand, acquiring this benefit also assumes we do not commit sinful activity after that one chanting the Holy Name of God. In the above instructions by Srila Prabhupada he kindly explains that we must be very very careful in the way we relate to him and the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. The main reason we came to this place called the material world was due to envy of God, Krsna. This envy means defiance of His instructions, starting with surrender. So when Krsna’s representative tells us certain things will put out the fire of God Consciousness, and out trip back to home back to Godhead, we would do well to listen and follow those instructions. Prabhupada begins above by saying there are many devotees who “assume” themselves to be in Krsna Consciousness or devotional service. When we hear these instructions, it means we must be honest with ourselves and try to follow what he is teaching us, and not argue or rationalize them away by “assumptions”
There is a verse in SB which fits in nicely here…..
SB 1.2.17–“Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses the desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.”
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das
