Engaging in Sinful Activities - The Anatomy of Misplaced Merit
In the Bhagavad-gītā, those who avoid the path of devotion and remain "engaged in sinful activities" are categorized as duskṛtina. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that such individuals are not necessarily unintelligent; rather, their merit and brains are applied toward the wrong ends. Sinful activity is the result of uncontrolled senses and the loss of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, leading the soul into a cycle of suffering and hellish conditions.
The Definition of Duskṛtina
The term duskṛtina refers to miscreants who possess merit (kṛti) but apply it for sinful purposes (duś). Śrīla Prabhupāda gives the example of a great scientist who possesses a brilliant brain but uses it to manufacture an atomic bomb to kill people. Such individuals are described as mūḍhas or rascals because, despite their material knowledge, they remain ignorant of the true objective of life and the laws of God.
- Duskrtinah means one who has got merit, but the merit is being engaged for sinful activities. Just like the atomic bomb. One who has manufactured this, he has got merit, certainly, great scientist. But how he has used his merit? To kill men, that's all.
- Duskrtina means always engaged in sinful activities. They have got brain, but their brain is being utilized only for sinful activities. Krti means good brain, and duskrti means brain is being utilized for sinful act. Therefore they are mudha.
- Rascals have been described in Bhagavad-gita as duskrtino mudhah. Nondevotees, those who are not Krsna conscious, must engage in sinful activities, and therefore they are mudhas - fools and rascals.
- Karmis who engage in sinful acts and who do not know the true objective of life are called mudhas, asses.
The Four Pillars of Sinful Life
In the present age of Kali-yuga, sinful engagement is widespread and supported by various social establishments. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the "four pillars of sinful activities" that keep the world in a state of suffering: illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication, and gambling. He notes that modern leaders often incite people toward these acts for illusory gain, thereby destroying the real interests of their followers.
- There are many contaminations within the heart, and the people in this age are engaged in many sinful activities - illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling.
- We are so much in this age engaged in sinful activities. The sinful activities are generally . . . the four pillars of sinful activities are illicit sex life, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. So this whole world is now full of all this business.
- Every one of them, all these rascals, are . . . they're engaged in four kinds of sinful activities. They'll search after illicit sex, they will eat meat, and they will drink and they will play gambling. Just one after a . . . you just study.
- Men are engaging in many sinful activities and becoming degraded by opening slaughterhouses, breweries and cigarette factories, as well as nightclubs and other establishments for sense enjoyment. In this way they are spoiling their lives.
The Barrier to Divine Surrender
One who is actively "engaged in sinful activities" faces a major spiritual obstacle: the inability to surrender to or even understand Kṛṣṇa. Sinful consciousness, described as kaśmala, acts as a covering that prevents the living entity from realizing the Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as a "devil cannot cite scripture," a person committed to sinful life cannot truly change their consciousness until they cease their sinful acts and undergo purification.
- Anyone who is engaged in sinful activities, he can neither understand Krsna nor surrender to Him.
- One who has finished sinful activities, he can be engaged in God consciousness. One who is engaged in sinful activities, he cannot. Devil citing scripture. A devil cannot cite scripture. Angel can cite scripture.
- One who is engaged in sinful activities cannot change his consciousness. Our real function is to change our consciousness from kasmala, sinful consciousness, to Krsna, the supreme pure.
- Generally when people are engaged in sinful or pious activities, they are not perfect in knowledge of devotional service.
Consequences and the Way of Purification
Engagement in sin leads to inevitable suffering, either in this life or the next. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that those who do not prepare themselves in this life will be degraded to lower forms, such as cats, dogs, or trees. To avoid this, one must utilize the process of prāyaścitta (ablution/purification). The most effective medicine for this age is the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa maha-mantra and the service of Tulasi-devī, which can quickly transform even the most sinful into perfect human beings.
- One who is always engaged in sinful activities must utilize the process of ablution called prayascitta. Without doing so, one surely will be transferred to hellish planets to undergo miserable lives as the result of sinful activities. BG 1972 purports.
- Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma. Because of uncontrolled senses, people fully engage in sinful activities by which they get a body full of suffering.
- Human form of life was given to him to become purified, but they are engaged in sinful activities so that next life they'll be cats and dogs and hogs and trees. Why trees? Trees stands naked.
- Rascals and fools, the lowest of men, who engage in sinful activities, cannot suddenly surrender to Krsna. Nevertheless, if they begin chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and rendering service unto the tulasi plant, they will very soon be able to surrender.
Conclusion
Engaging in sinful activities is a tragedy of misused potential. As Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights, the rascals of this world are not necessarily without merit, but they are without God. By understanding the four pillars of sin and the inevitability of suffering that follows vikarma, one should intelligently choose the path of purification. Through the chanting of the holy names and the guidance of devotees, even a sinful consciousness can be restored to its original, pure state of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Engaging in Sinful Activities. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.