Text 31|
The Most Confidential Knowledge
485.
this rule, and derides a devotee for his accidental falldown, then he is disobeying the order of the Supreme Lord. The only qualification of a devotee is to be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service.
The mark of a spot which may be seen on the moon does not become an impediment to the moonlight. Similarly, the accidental falldown of a devotee from the path of a saintly character does not make him abominable. On the other hand, one should not misunderstand that a devotee in transcendental devotional service can act in all kinds of abominable ways; this verse only refers to an accident due to the strong power of material connections. Devotional service is more or less a declaration of war against the illusory energy. As long as one is not strong enough to fight the illusory energy, there may be accidental falldowns. But when one is strong enough, he is no longer subjected to such falldowns, as previously explained. No one should take advantage of this verse and commit nonsense and think that he is still a devotee. If he does not improve in his character by devotional service, then it is to be understood that he is not a high devotee.
TEFT 31
क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्ति निगच्छति । कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति ॥३१॥
kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati
kṣīpram —very soon;  bhavati —becomes;  dharma-ātmā —righteous;  śaśvat-śāntim —lasting peace;  nigacchati —attains;  kaunteya —O son of Kuntī;  pratijānīhi —justly declare;  na —never;  me —Mine;  bhaktaḥ —devotee;  praṇaśyati —perishes.
TRANSLATION
He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.
PURPORT
This should not be misunderstood. In the Seventh Chapter the Lord says that one who is engaged in mischievous activities cannot become a