Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 25
Karma, Jñāna, and Bhakti: Vedic Dharma, Piety and Sin, and the Boat of Human Life
यदि कुर्यात् प्रमादेन योगी कर्म विगर्हितम् । योगेनैव दहेदंहो नान्यत्तत्र कदाचन ॥ २५ ॥
yadi kuryāt pramādena yogī karma vigarhitam yogenaiva dahed aṁho nānyat tatra kadācana
Si, par une inattention passagère, un yogī commet par accident un acte blâmable, qu’il réduise en cendres la réaction du péché par la seule pratique du yoga, sans jamais recourir à un autre moyen.
The word yogena here indicates jñānena yogena and bhaktyā yogena, since these two transcendental systems have the power to burn sinful reactions to ashes. It should be clearly understood that the word aṁhas, or “sin,” here refers to an accidental falldown against one’s desire. Premeditated exploitation of the mercy of the Lord can never be excused.
FAQs
In 11.20.25, Kṛṣṇa says that if a yogī commits a censurable act due to negligence, he should destroy that impurity through yoga itself—by renewed, sincere spiritual practice—since no external substitute is as effective for that inner lapse.
Kṛṣṇa is teaching Uddhava how the path of yoga and inner discipline purifies the heart: even when an accidental fault occurs, the remedy is to return to authentic practice and burn the contamination through realized yoga, not to rely merely on other forms of compensation.
If you slip ethically or spiritually due to carelessness, don’t rationalize it—recommit to your sādhana (meditation, devotion, self-control, truthful living) and let steady practice correct the mind and habits at the root.