Question: Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport to BG 18.47, “Similarly, if a ksatriya engaged in his own occupation kills an enemy, there is no sin incurred.”
But then in the Mucukunda story, a little different slant is given in the Krsna book:
“My dear King,” the Lord said, “because you are a ksatriya, you have committed the offense of slaughtering animals, both in hunting and in political engagements. To become purified, just engage yourself in the practice of bhakti-yoga and always keep your mind absorbed in Me. Very soon you will be freed from all reactions to such sordid activities.” In this statement it appears that although ksatriyas are allowed to kill animals in hunting, they are not freed from the resultant contamination of sinful reactions. (Krsna book ch 51)
The Bhagavatam says it more directly: “Because you followed the principles of a ksatriya, you killed living beings while hunting and performing other duties. You must vanquish the sins thus incurred by carefully executing penances while remaining surrendered to Me.” (SB 10.51.62)
Do ksatiyas incur sinful reactions (karma) for doing their prescribed duties? If so, does this hold for the prescribed duties of the other varnas (like a vaisya lying)?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Sanatana Goswami’s commentary to this verse:
Because you followed the principles of a ksatriya, you killed living beings while hunting and performing other duties. You must vanquish the sins thus incurred by carefully executing penances while remaining surrendered to Me.
COMMENTARY
Mucukunda thought, “Alas, alas, Krsna wants to separate me from His association from now on. This can’t be! It just can’t be!”
Noticing Mucukunda’s great anxiety, Krsna then thought as follows: “In this incarnation, he should not associate with Me directly. All the personal assistants in My pastimes have taken birth in Dvapara-yuga such as Uddhava, Akrüra, Arjuna and Yudhistira. Mucukunda, however, is extremely old having taken birth at the very beginning of this manvantara. When people see him they will laugh and say, ‘Aha, who is this very tall and stout man who is such a poor match for the Lord?’
“Even now, during the pastime of fleeing from Jarasandha, as well as in later pastimes such as the kidnapping of Rukmini, it will not be at all fitting for this person to be associated with Me while I am fighting the likes of Salva and others. He will take these opponents of Mine and crush them in hands like mosquitoes. What excuse can I make up, therefore, to separate him from My association?”
After thinking like this, Krsna decided that the only means to accomplish this would be to speak some false words in order to mislead Mucukunda. Thus He spoke this verse.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur Commentary – 10.51.62
Mucukunda thought, “Oh, then, do you want to separate me from yourself? No, you should not do that. Do not do that.” Seeing Mucukunda’s great anxiety, Krsna then considered, “In this avatara, he should not associate with me directly. My associates such as Arjuna, Yudhistira, Uddhava and Akrura, appearing at the end of Dvapara yuga, seeing you who are from the beginning of the manvantara, will laugh when they see your huge form so different from themselves. And in the pastime of fleeing Jarasandha, kidnapping Rukmini, and fighting with Jarasandha and Salva etc, you will not be suitable to be with me. You will kill them all like mosquitoes, crushing them in your two hands. But then what reason should I give to separate you from me?” After thinking like this, he said something a little false to mislead Mucukunda. Thus he speaks this verse.
Jiva Goswami Tosani Commentary – 10.51.62
Showing fear, you should engage in penance to teach others. This is actually a secondary purpose. The main purpose was to increase longing by delay, in order to produce Mucukunda’s intense prema for the Lord. This was the Lord’s great mercy after he praised Mucukunda’s good qualities because the Lord’s good nature. Or, to increase his longing, the Lord shows the semblance of his final duties. By concentration upon me (tapas?), give up impressions – enter a state of fainting.
