Question: I’m practising Krishna Consciousness through ISKCON since 3 years irregularly, following three regulative principles except ‘no illicit sex’. But chanting 16 rounds daily since 2 months and interested in life-long Krishna Consciouness. I am also donating to ISKCON Rs. 2000/-(INR) monthly since six months. So considering this, please answer the following question. Can we claim money from our office against false receipts. And also please explain elaborately considering all the situations.
Answer by Romapada Swami:
As devotees of Krishna, we are required to act within the society as representatives of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Our actions also will directly reflect on the entire devotee community and the parampara we represent, just as the misbehavior of a son brings ill repute to the entire family. Therefore, this demands that we maintain impeccable standards in all our dealings, words and actions, and certainly of the highest religious and moral standards.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirmed this standard of ethical conduct in His dealings with Gopinath Pattanayaka (see CC Antya-lila Ch 9).
In principle, therefore, devotees are to refrain from illegal and also improper activities and strictly uphold principles such as honesty etc. Vaishnava acharyas have always stressed the importance for householders to earn money only by honest means. Even though we may be engaged in Krishna’s service, money earned through less-than-legitimate means is tainted with impurity. Even if such money was to be directly used in Krishna’s service, still the end does not fully justify the means.
Not only will such an act be a bad example and bring bad name to the devotees of Krishna, but personally such seemingly harmless falsehood or dishonest practices will still leave deep `samskaras’ or impressions in one’s mind that will repeatedly impel them towards such activities and implicate the individual deeper and deeper. Therefore, as aspiring devotees, we should be very wary and refrain from such activities.
