Question: What happens to a devotee if he is unable to remember Krsna at the time of death?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
yadi vatadi doshena mad bhakto mam na cha smaret aham smarami mad bhaktah nayami parama-gatim
“If My devotee is unable to remember Me at the time of death because of disturbances felt within the body at that time, then I shall remember My devotee and take him back to My supreme abode.” – Varaha Purana
The above was also the answer given by Lord Varada Raja of Kancipuram to Ramanujacarya, when he asked what happened to a devotee who could not remember the Lord at the time of his death.
“My dear servants, please bring to me only those sinful persons who do not use their tongues to chant the holy name and qualities of Krsna, whose hearts do not remember the lotus feet of Krsna even once, and whose heads do not bow down even once before Lord Krsna. Send me those who do not perform their duties toward Visnu, which are the only duties in human life. Please bring me all such fools and rascals.” ~ Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.3.29)
Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur (SBSST)’s summary of Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakur (VCT)’s commentary on SB 11.7.6 “Sometimes, being fully engaged in My devotional service, they may seemingly forget Me, but a pure devotee who possesses love for Me will always be protected by his sincere devotion. Even if such a devotee unexpectedly meets with death while forgetting to keep his mind fixed upon Me, his love for Me is so strong that it will give him protection so that he will eventually attain My lotus feet, which are beyond the vision of materialistic persons.”
