Jun 19, 2015 — SRIDHAM MAYAPUR (SUN) — Mayapur - March, 11 1976
According to Krishna's arrangement, Vishnujana Swami never heard the last part of the conversation, as he went to the back of the crowd after this part. Below is the full transcription from the part where the video ends. Therefore Vishnujana Swami didn't hear where Srila Prabhupada says it is better to re-engage in devotional service as that is sufficient atonement.
Tamala Krsna: Very strict.
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes. "You have fallen down? You must commit suicide. No more My association."
Pusta Krsna: Is that the same as in the Bhagavad-gita where Krsna says, "For one who is honored, dishonor is worse than death"?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. That is another thing. Caitanya Mahäprabhu personally taught this. To be victimized by maya is possi.... There is possibility.... Just like Jaya and Vijaya. They were gatekeepers in the Vaikuntha. They also fell down, Hiranyakasipu. So this falldown, there is possibility in any moment because we are very small. We can be captivated by maya at any moment. Therefore we shall be very, very careful. And if you fall down, then punishment is you make suicide. That's all. Then next life we shall see.
Satsvarüpa: But Srila Prabhupada, in The Nectar of Devotion it says devotional service is so pure that there's no prayascitta necessary. Just again engage in your service.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. This is not prayascitta. This is exemplary punishment. He was not liable to be punished, but they played that "This is the.... This should be done."
Guru-krpa: He did not kill himself immediately. He waited for a year.
Srila Prabhupada: He was waiting if Caitanya Mahaprabhu would accept him again. But when he saw that Caitanya Mahäprabhu is not so lenient, he committed suicide. Vajrad api katora. Harder than the thunderbolt and softer than the rose. This is the position.
Tamala Krsna: But, Prabhupada, if you were as strict as.... If you were that strict...
Srila Prabhupada: No, I am not Caitanya Prabhu. I am not.... Why you are comparing me? I am an ordinary man.
Guru-krpa: So in ISKCON, if someone falls down, it means that he should commit suicide?
Srila Prabhupada: No.
Gurudäsa: We wouldn't have much of a movement, then.
Pusta Krsna: We're too attached to our bodies anyway, Srila Prabhupäda.
Srila Prabhupada: No, no, if he falls down, that is automatically suicide. If he falls down, that means it is suicide. He got the chance. If he falls down, that is suicide.
Guru-krpa: Spiritual suicide.
Srila Prabhupada: Spiritual suicide. If one gets the chance of becoming eligible for going back to home, back to Godhead, and if he commits mistake and it is stopped, is it not suicide?
Guru-krpa: You once gave the example, Srila Prabhupäda, of taking your plane off the ground and then bringing it back to land again.
Srila Prabhupada: Eh?
Guru-krpa: You once gave the example that you take your plane to a destination, and you have to turn around and come back and start all over again, take off again.
Srila Prabhupada: There are so many. Drdha-vrata. Bhajante mam drtha-vrata. So we should be very strong-minded and continue our devotional service very strongly
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
