"Because a non-devotee has become a devotee," Prabhupada replied, "he is practicing how to simply accept Krsna's orders. But by his previous habit he's still engaged in 'Do it' and 'Don't do it.' Just like this fan is running. You take out the switch, the current is stopped, but it's still running, at least three, four rounds. So similarly, if you have taken to Krsna consciousness, that current of 'Do it' or 'Do not,' is stopped. Because you have agreed to do only what Krsna says. If you have actually decided like that, then you are free. There is no more current of 'Do it' or 'Not do it.' But because you were habituated in your past life to this 'Do it' or 'Not do it,' sometimes it is found. Therefore Krsna says, api cet suduracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak sadhur eva sa mantavyah sasvad bhavati dharmatma. He has got little practice of these nonsense things. But if he sticks to Krsna consciousness, this will be stopped very soon. That is the only remedy. So a devotee means he has taken vow before the spiritual master, before the fire, before ... If he sticks to his principle, then he's free. Even though some bad habits found due to his past behavior, that will be stopped. But he must stick. Bhajate mam ananya-bhak. Krsna consciousness must continue. Everything will be corrected. And if there is slackness in Krsna consciousness, then again he'll fall down.
"That I was telling this morning, that if you have determination, maya will put forward so many impediments, and with all sufferings, if he remains determined in Krsna consciousness, then life is success. A man is habituated to smoke. He has given up, has promised no more smoking. Just like our students. Now he's put amongst some friends, they are smoking. But he has bad habit, he's thinking, 'Why not smoke?' And if the friends offer, 'It is friends. Who is going to see? Yes.' That is possible. But if he comes to his sense again, 'Oh, what I have done?' If he repents, 'I promised it before my spiritual master, before God, before fire. Now I'm doing this?' that repentance will help him. And if he thinks that 'I'm doing it. My spiritual master is not here, let me fall to it,' then he is finished. Then he is finished. If he repents for the wrong he has done, then he's excused. Otherwise finished."
"Is there any limit to the number of chances that he has?" I asked.
Srila Prabhupada was very clear. "Yes, there is limit. Once, twice, thrice. If you make four times, then it is extricated: 'Get out rascal, cheating.' "
He repeated that ultimately it is up to us. If we want to stop our suffering, Krsna's instructions are there to help.
"But unless one is getting Krsna's instruction, he is forced to go on," Navayauvana observed.
"Yes," Prabhupada told him. "You cannot do anything without knowledge of Krsna. Krsna is there, maya is there. They'll take care. If you agree to be taken care by Krsna, then you are happy. And if you don't agree, you will be taken care by maya. You go on suffering. In either case you are not independent. That verse is very important -- yathecchasi tatha kuru."
- From "A Transcendental Diary Vol 4" by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu
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