All articles by Jayadvaita Swami

Must there not be some limit on how much we can forgive and excuse? (A letter and reply)   Dear Jayadvaita Swami, Re: Can one who has sinned be a saint? Throughout our books and their purports the word "accidentally" is often used to describe the event for the "falldown" or "sin" of the devotee. But what is written in purports about "intentionally" or the event where one says "I'm going to get out of this chair and go over there and .."? And they get out of that chair intentionally over and over again to do their deeds. There must be some measured limit on the quality … [Read more...] about An accidental falldown is one thing, but. . .

Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.2.8–10) about the sinful Ajamila: etenaiva hy aghono ’sya    krtam syad agha-niskrtam yada narayanayeti    jagada catur-aksaram stenah sura-po mitra-dhrug    brahma-ha guru-talpa-gah stri-raja-pitr-go-hanta    ye ca patakino ’pare sarvesam apy … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 7)

Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. We find relevant instructions in Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.42 (translated, with commentary, by disciples of Srila Prabhupada): sva-pada-mulam bhajatah priyasyatyaktanya-bhavasya harih paresah vikarma yac cotpatitam kathanciddhunoti sarvam hrdi sannivistah One who has thus given up all other engagements and has taken full shelter at the lotus feet of Hari, the Supreme Personality of … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 6)

I posted in this journal an item, under the title "Shabby Behavior," complaining about disregard for copyrights. The particular circumstance that prompted that item has now been cordially settled. I have therefore deleted the item. Though I felt justified in writing it, its tone was sharp, so I feel far better about deleting it than I felt about writing it. My thanks to my godbrother involved for dealing with the matter in a conscientious way. The error may very well have been mine. Thank you also to Candidasa and Sitapati Dasa for commenting on the item. Since I've deleted it, we … [Read more...] about The disappearance of “Shabby Behavior”

Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. Several important quotations pertaining to this point appear in Chapter One of The Nectar of Devotion, "Characteristics of Pure Devotional Service," in the section "Relief from Material Distress." One such verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.14.19, which Srila Prabhupada renders as follows: "My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire which can burn into ashes … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 5)

Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. In the book Surrender unto Me, Bhurijana Dasa comments on Bhagavad-gita 4.36–37, with references to the commentary of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. 36. Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries. In Chapter One, Arjuna feared sin … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 4)

Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. The Brihad-vishnu Purana says: namno hi yavati saktihpapa-nirharane harehtavat kartum na saknotipatakam pataki narah "Simply by chanting one holy name of Hari, a sinful man can counteract the reactions to more sins than he is able to commit." … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 3)

Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. In Bhagavad-gita (9.30–31) Lord Krishna says: 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. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 2)

Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. I am posting here the first of a series of quotations in this regard. From Bhagavad-gita As It Is (9.30) by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. api cet su-duracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak sadhur eva sa mantavyah samyag vyavasito hi sah api -- even; cet -- if; su-duracarah -- one committing the most abominable actions; bhajate -- is engaged in devotional … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint?

I have posted two new articles about the editing of Srila Prabhupada's books: Editing the Unchangeable Truth An overview of the editorial history of the books of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. This is an article recently published in ISKCON Communications Journal. What is Adi-vani? A discussion of the term adi-vani, what it means, and how it may be misused. I hope these articles will foster a better understanding of the writing, editing, and publishing of Srila Prabhupada's books. … [Read more...] about New articles about editing