Hare Krsna,
Quoting Pariksit Maharajaś example, Srila Prabhupada writes in one of his purports of Srimad Bhagavatam that all sins are burned in the fire of repentance:
“The devotees are naturally faultless. Accidental sins committed by a devotee are sincerely regretted, and by the grace of the Lord all sins unwillingly committed by a devotee are burnt in the fire of repentance.” (SB 1.19.1 Purport)
The same principle applies here in the case of the brahmanaṣ. Their sincere repentance burned their ignorance and misdeeds – but not to the extent that they would receive direct vision of the Supreme Lorḍ. Unlike their wives, the brahmanas were not pure devotees and fully surrendered yeṭ. They were still afraid of King Kamsa. They were bewildered by grief and guilt and were not in agreement as to the proper course of action.
“It should be understood that because the brahmanas were not on such an advanced platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the shadow of fear in their minds kept them from seeing the Lord face to face.” (Sārārtha-darśini; SB 10.23.52)
The test of true bhakti is that it should lead to transformation of heart. The good news is the brahmanas had a genuine change of hearṭ. They understood the exalted devotional status of their wives, and now regarded them as their guruṣ, and they criticized themselves for their own lack of devotion.
What is important to note in this pastime is the supreme position of Krsna consciousnesṣ. The brahmanas realized that without developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness, all discharge of religious duties is simply a waste of time and energy. Everything else is a waste of time if it does not lead to Krsna consciousnesṣ. The brahmanas condemned their threefold birth, vow of celibacy, extensive learning of Vedic scriptures, aristocratic background, expertise in the rituals of sacrifice, etc. On the other hand, developing pure love for Krsna does not depend on any of these thingṣ.
“These women have never undergone the purificatory rites of the twice-born classes, nor have they lived as brahmacārīs in the āśrama of a spiritual master, nor have they executed austerities, speculated on the nature of the self, followed the formalities of cleanliness or engaged in pious rituals. Nevertheless, they have firm devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose glories are chanted by the exalted hymns of the Vedas and who is the supreme master of all masters of mystic power. We, on the other hand, have no such devotion for the Lord, although we have executed all these processes.” (SB 10.23.43-44)
The brahmanas were left wondering how their wives developed such extraordinary love for Kṛṣṇa. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura reveals the secret.
“The cause of their wives’ loving devotion to Kṛṣṇa was hearing about the form, qualities and activities of Kṛṣṇa from the flower ladies and other women of Vraja.” ((Sārārtha-darśini; SB 10.23.43-44)
Our good fortune is that Srila Prabhupada, in line with the teachings of Lord Caitanya and predecessor acaryas, gave us exactly the same formula to attain love of God – chanting the Holy Name and hearing the forming, qualities, pastimes of Krsna.
As long as we have faith in this process and sincerely execute the process with determination, we too can attain the same mercy as received by the wives of the brahmanaṣ. We do not need to need to be as qualified as the brahmanas in terms of learnings, penances, sacrifices, etc. The door to Krsna-prema is open to all as long as we follow the process with faitḥ
“If one is worshiping the Lord properly, what is the use of severe penances? And if one is not properly worshiping the Lord, what is the use of severe penances? If Śrī Kṛṣṇa is realized within and without everything that exists, what is the use of severe penances? And if Śrī Kṛṣṇa is not seen within and without everything, then what is the use of severe penances?” (Pañcarātra; quoted in SB 11.18.4 purport)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 