Srila Prabhupada makes it clear that instead of asking about how did we fall into this material world, we should ask how to get out of here. He equates this attitude to someone drowning in the ocean who starts asking how he fell into the sea when offered help instead of first getting out of the water and asking questions later.

It makes perfect sense when we think about it logically, but there is also an emotional factor that makes us often take the wrong turn: the fear that the person who is supposed to save us is the same one who put us here. The ultimate conspiracy theory.

The sastras, as well as our previous acaryas, explain that we are eternal servants of Krsna. This makes perfectly clear what our original position is. However, at the same time, it is made clear that no one falls from the spiritual world. How can we come from the spiritual energy if no one falls from the spiritual world?

Not everyone comes to Mayapur or Vrindavana to practice spiritual life. Many come after money or other material things. One may become shocked or sad to see materialists pursuing their activities in the holy dhama, but the fact is that such materialists are also engaged in Krsna’s service, although indirectly. Actually, it’s like that all over the creation. How does it work?

The point is that such materialistic people in the course of their material activities produce things that are useful for Vaishnavas, and in this way, they accumulate ajnata sukriti. One may plant flowers and make garlands for money, but if devotees buy these garlands and offer them to Krsna, he benefits. Similarly, a materialistic person can come to Mayapur and Vrindavana to build apartments and perform a good volume of dishonest activities in the process, but if later the apartments are used by devotees engaged in service, still they benefit from it.

Sometimes even devotees who are recognized for their service to the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu do things that are sinful or even immoral. In one sense it is not a sin to call a spade a spade and tell others about the facts that happened, but there are a few points that should make us a little careful when condemning such devotees.

Here is a paragraph from a purport from Srila Prabhupada that really took my attention today:

“Lord Kṛṣṇa’s gentle behavior before His so-called superiors such as His father, grandfather and elder brother, His amiable behavior with His so-called wives, friends and contemporaries, His behavior as a child before His mother Yaśodā, and His naughty dealings with His young girlfriends cannot bewilder a pure devotee like Uddhava”

The part that struck me is how Krsna deals nicely with his superiors, as well as his friends. He is a little naughty with mother Yashoda, of course, but this is just part of the Lila. In all other pastimes, as when he deals with the Pandavas, with the senior Yadhus with his Vasudeva and Nanda Maharaja, his wives in Dwaraka, and even His servants, Krsna always shows the highest degree of politeness.