There are 4 types of sinful reactions, which can be divided into two sections namely, manifest
(Prabdha) and unmanifest or that which is not yet fructified (Aparabdha); within Aparabdha there’s
Kutam(sinful propensity or the natural tendency to ) and Bijam(sinful desire or “lying as seed”).
In Srimad Bhagvatam it is stated in the conversation between Devahuti and her son Kapiladev that as
soon as one takes up the path of devotional service and begins to chant the Maha mantra then all
his sinful reactions become neutralized and one becomes purified to the extent that one “achieves
the result of all purifactory processes”(Srimad Bhagvatam; 3,33,6). The exact verse stated: “
yan-nāmadheya-śravaṇānukīrtanād
yat-prahvaṇād yat-smaraṇād api kvacit
śvādo ’pi sadyaḥ savanāya kalpate
kutaḥ punas te bhagavan nu darśanāt
Translation
To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face,
even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices
if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears
about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him.”
In this verse, it describes that no matter the position of a person which would be due to his previous
sinful activities one may have received the reaction of being born in a lowly or degraded family, yet
simply by chanting or even hearing, paying obeisance’s or remembering the Lord, one may be
relieved of all sinful reactions.
.The proof of the above verse is the story of Narada Muni. In Bhagavad Gita; purport of chapter 9,
verse2, the story of the young boy Narada, who he became engaged in devotional service through
assisting his mother who was a servant to some great devotees. As a young boy Narada would wash
their eating dishes and he had the desire to taste their remnants so he asked for permission and thus
was engaged in intimate service and association with great devotees. Narada also has the great
fortune of hearing and chanting with the great devotees. In this way he was engaged in the two types
of devotional service namely; rendering service to Devotees and Chanting the Holy Name of the Lord.
Despite being born in a low/degraded family and having no education he was able to get the mercy of
the devotees and become engaged in devotional service and became the great devotee Narada Muni
who preached the glories of Sri Krsna all over the 3 worlds.
In another instance the story of Ajamila who’s life began as a dutiful Brahmana, however he
associated with a prostitute and became engaged in sinful activities. Even though he lived a life full
of sinful activities, he called out the Lord’s name “Naranyana!” upon his last breath, which was also
the name of his youngest son. Simply by calling out the Holy Name of the Lord, he was freed from a
life full of sinful activities. As stated in Srimad Bhagvatam Canto 6, chapter 2, verse 17;”
tais tāny aghāni pūyante
tapo-dāna-vratādibhiḥ
nādharmajaṁ tad-dhṛdayaṁ
tad apīśāṅghri-sevayā
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Translation
Although one may neutralize the reactions of sinful life through austerity, charity, vows and other
such methods, these pious activities cannot uproot the material desires in one’s heart. However, if
one serves the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, he is immediately freed from all such
contaminations.”
In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18, verse 66;
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
Translation
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions.
Do not fear.
Krsna, Himself tells us that He will personally deliver us from sinful reactions and the purport
describes that through devotional service we can become freed from our sinful reactions. This
purport elaborates on the devotional process, through surrendering unto Krnsa, which means
engaging in devotional service to Krsna and abandoning all other religious forms, then Krsna tells us
when we do this we should not fear because He will free us from all sinful reaction and material
contamination
All these references prove that devotional service does in fact nullify all sinful reaction and gives
evidence of devotional service alleviating sinful reactions that bind us a certain material condition.
Only through devotional service to Krsna can all sinful reactions be destroyed by even the smallest
attempt of even calling out His name, just once. The relief from all sinful reactions is only very early
benefits on devotional service.
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