Bhagavad-gita
9.30

Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is situated in his determination.


First I must point out that this passage is not permission to become apathetic toward Krishna consciousness. It is not saying "you're just human, go ahead, commit any sin at all, God wont' care." In fact, the worship of the Supreme and the worship of things other than the Supreme (such as sex, intoxicants, etc. ) bring the worshipper two entirely different results. So the Supreme can only be attained through the worship of the Supreme. This is explained in Sri Isopanisad, mantra 13. "It is said that one result is obtained by worshiping the supreme cause of all causes and that another result is obtained by worshiping that which is not supreme. All this is heard from the undisturbed authorities, who clearly explain it." This passage in Bhagavad-gita is not suggesting that the two worships are at all compatible.

What it is however suggesting is simply that we are not perfect. We do tend to make mistakes. Prabhupada says in the purport, of this text, "The material contamination is o strong that even a yogi fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared…" Even the yogi (the highest devotee of Krishna) may occasionally fail. What to say then of simple, uninitiated devotees only beginning the path to spiritual perfection? It seems that it is almost expected.

But why would it be expected? Simple, this is kali-yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. Hypocrisy? Isn't it very hypocritical to practice loving, devotional service to the Supreme even on the same day as taking intoxicants? Yes, this is hypocrisy. It is also a characteristic of this kali-yuga. If we choose to remain apathetic toward these illicit activities, we also choose to remain apathetic to our devotion to the Supreme Lord. If we choose to gratify our senses rather than serve Krishna and His devotees we contribute to this hypocrisy.

But as devotees we have already made the decision to be very cautious not to do anything that would disturb the "whole some condition" created by devotional service. We are aware that their activities are very disruptive to the process of devotion, which is why when we commit such activities, we often feel guilt.

Guild, however, will do nothing for us. The fact that the Lord is situated in the hearts of all of His devotees will purify and excuse the devotee from the abomination.

Again, allow me to stress that this text is not saying that these abominations are welcomed. These abominations are to be expected, like I said, we are human, we make mistakes. But since we are human, and we do make mistakes, why should we place our worship (or even our diversion from devotional service) on some thing that even common animals do, such as limitless sex. Why engage in it? Any animal can partake in it. Instead why don't' we partake in an activity that is not a characteristic of the animals kingdom, one that is not even a characteristic of the materialistic world. If our true desire is to stop these abominations we must turn to something that cannot be abominable. Something that cannot be material. That something is the Holy name of Lord Krishna. Krishna and His name are nondifferent. So, in the realization that material attraction is very strong, we must not turn to something material such as some illusionary meditation or "thinking of something else" or even some scheme to trick the mind. We must engage in something that is above everything. Something supreme. Our only weapon that will prove any effectiveness is our devotional service. This is transcendental.

By faithfully chanting Hare Krishna, and faithfully offering our food to the Lord, we will begin to win this battle against materialism. Still, we must realize that even if we are the highest of devotees, we may backslide. As help, keep in mind the instruction that does along with chanting: if our minds wander away from chanting, away from the Holy names, as soon as we realize this, we should bring our concentration back to the transcendental sound vibrations of Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. If our lives seem to wander off away from Krishna, the last thing we need is guilt, which will only take more time away from devotion. As soon as we realize that our live are even beginning to stray, we should at once bring our concentration back to the transcendental beauty within the love of God. By this we should live our lives. Not because Krishna is God or because we desire to go back to Godhead, but because it is true happiness within an age of illusion and sorrow.

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