The Fate of the Unsuccessful Yogi 39
er planets. But one cannot remain there perpetually.
When the fruits or the results of one’s pious activi-
ties expire, he has to return to earth. Yet even upon
returning to this planet, the unsuccessful yogi meets
with fortunate circumstances, for he takes his birth
either in a very rich family or a pious one.

Generally, according to the law of karma, if one
enacts pious deeds, he is awarded in the next life by
birth into a very aristocratic family, or into a very
wealthy family, or he becomes a great scholar, or he
is born very beautiful. In any case, those who sincere-
ly begin spiritual life are guaranteed human birth in
the next life—not only human birth, but birth into
either a very pious or a very wealthy family. Thus one
with such a good birth should understand that his for-
tune is due to his previous pious activities and to God’s
grace. These facilities are given by the Lord, who is
always willing to give us the means to attain Him.
Krsna simply wants to see that we are sincere. In the
Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that every particular
person has his own duty in life, regardless of his
position and regardless of his society. If, however, he
gives up his prescribed duty and somehow—either out
of sentiment or association or craziness or whatever—
takes shelter of Krsna, and if, due to his immatur-
ity, he falls from the devotional path, still there is no
loss for him. On the other hand, if a person executes
his duties perfectly but does not approach God, then
what does he earn? His life is indeed without benefit.
But a person who has approached Krsna is better
situated, even though he may fall down from the
yogic platform.
