Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.22 is often a misunderstood, or a misused verse. Some utilize it to get away with nonsense. They feel they can do whatever they want and no karmic consequence is due to them.
"The King said: O you, who are in the form of a bull! You know the truth of religion, and you are speaking according to the principle that the destination intended for the perpetrator of irreligious acts is also intended for one who identifies the perpetrator. You are no other than the personality of religion."
When initially reading this, I was taken-back, like many are I suppose. I could just see it misused to the point of "nothing matters here - anything goes."
Therefore, I had to study it further. In the preceding verse, I emphasized the parts that can initially be confusing. Let us ummm now unconfuse it. :)
Start by recognizing that in the above verse, Dharma, a pure devotee, is speaking for himself. He has made a personal choice to accept the karma. We are not pure devotees - should not imitate. Of course, there is a lesson in it for all, but it needs to be more deeply understood.
At first glance this verse makes many concerned that both the doer of a bad act, and those who turn them in, will receive the same karmic reaction - so why bother?
It's not that simple.
Though I admit, I'm trying to simplify it for this blog post. :)
Why does the identifier and the perpetrator achieve the same destination?
As devotees, some tend to think they are above karma as long as they maintain their devotional service and their chanting. Of course, chanting and serving Krishna / God is the highest and transcendental. Yet, we are not fully realized, are still undergoing purification, thus still have karma.
We are working to free ourselves of it, but sticking our heads in the sand when something bad happens is not freeing ourselves of it at all. One extreme or the other = karmic entanglement. What to do? Will get to that soon. First...
Let us briefly consider the word "destination." If I buy an airplane ticket and my destination is India, there is still a difference whether I will be directed to Tungnath Mandir in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand [Shiva temples], or directed to Vrindavana, historical city in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh [Krishna / God's temples].
While we respect both, the devotee wants to be sent to Vrindavana. :) Past life activities, along with consciousness, and God, help make that decision.
Next, just as one who preformed bad karmic activities has to take birth again to receive that particular karmic reaction - similarly one who preforms good karma [opens hospitals, feeds the hungry, reports abuse] also has to return to be materially rewarded for their good action.
Thus the same destination is the material world or rebirth. It is not transcendental. This doesn't mean we shouldn't report harmful activities. IMHO it means we should report it, then next get back to our chanting and saddhana as quickly as possible to help us rise above any reaction.
When factually discovering - and not just cuz ya dislike the way they raise their kids, or part their hair - but knowing facts of real harm - to think that doing something for justice is still karmic & therefore end up do nothing - such persons need to realize that unless they're pure devotees (and we are not), then doing nothing IS doing something. Basically there can be karma from inaction at the very least, and possibly the karma of what became worse as a result of your silence. Instead, do our duty, and back to Krishna's service & chanting as fast as possible.
"A person who knows things as they are and still does not bear witness becomes involved in sinful activities." CC Madhya 5.90
These verses may seem contradictory but will make sense now, or over time. Lets stick with:
Regardless of how much service, chanting, or etc that you do, even if you're fortunate enough to be engaged 24/7 - most of us still have many births of karma stuck in our aura, in our chakras, and wherever else. :) We are not pure devotees, therefore can't ignore offenses by passing the buck to SB 1.17.22. We must look at the whole picture, additional verses, as well as how we are karmically entangled anyway, so do the right thing, then back to chanting & Krishna's service immediately.
RELATED LINKS:
Tired Of Abuse? [The title says it all.]
Anyone Can Go To KrishnaLoka: Don't let anybody tell you that you can't qualify. Any who follow Prabhupada, can qualify. And can make it BTG! :)
Create Your Own Altar At Home: You don't have to move in or join a temple to practice transcendental Krishna Consciousness. Start experiencing the bliss now, by creating it all within your own home. Turn it into Vaikuntha.
Women and Gurukuli's: Tire of chronic misunderstandings how women should be treated [or be!]; and how children should tolerate hurt [blaming karma]? I don't care how many quotes some twist to hide behind in order to get away with this - it's all maya.
Little Krishna Animation - for kids and adults alike. Joyful fun for everyone.
VAD - Why I Am Against It. Some food for thought. Ok, LOTS of food for thought. :)
It's Bonafide - Don't let anyone try to convince you Prabhupada did not want happiness of us, or that their abuse is due to him. Nonsense.
TEDx Talk on Prabhupada and Happiness.
Humor: Laugh a little. :)
Starting A Temple: Interesting points by Prabhupada.
A Fun (Safe) Spiritual Place - Your Home. One purpose of my blog is to try to bring the old days back for folks of today. You can do it too!
Blissful Saddhana - Fun spiritual activities you [and sometimes your children] can do at home!
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