Question: Why does a devotee fall down after years of devotion?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur has given a very direct and clear answer to this question. In the beginning of one’s activities of devotion, there is a degree of submission to Krishna, and then to the spiritual master, which develops gradually in course of time. One will remain fixed in devotion as long as that submission remains steady. However, if one slackens in one’s submission to Krishna and to the Spiritual Master, one will certainly fall from the platform of devotion. In this way, you can understand that submission to Guru and Krishna is our protection; conversely, even if we have established great spiritual credit by performing so many activities of devotion in life, such previous activity will not sustain our spiritual position if we slacken in our submission. Our spiritual advancement will never be lost; that is to say, our devotion may become temporarily covered or obscured, only. Devotion is eternally with the soul, but it may or may not be practically displayed or evidenced. Our submission to guru and Krishna on a moment-to-moment basis will sustain our present activities in devotional service and ensure that we continue to make nice progress in spiritual life.
