Question: I agree Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I had a doubt that if Krishna forgives all the sinners who take refuge in him and surrender to him by performing activities of pure devotional service, is it not injustice to the persons affected by the sinners?
For example, if a criminal surrenders unto Krishna and Krishna forgives him seeing his regretful attitude and Bhakti, what is justice to the people affected by him?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Let us first understand that the word “Surrender” has varying levels. Surrender in true sense means to dedicate body, mind, and one’s very self to the service of Krishna, leaving aside any and all other shelters and to have complete faith in the words, acts of Krishna and His protection. With such consciousness, whatever one does is completely to please the Lord.
Krishna also says that for those who serve Him with exclusive devotion, He carries what they lack and preserves what they have in BG 9.22. Thus, whatever happens in a surrendered devotee’s life is personally orchestrated by Krishna via His internal potency.
So, if Krishna decides to forgive a soul for his criminal/sinful activities, then who are we to interfere with that decision of Krishna. Krishna may give a “token reaction” for their complete purification of residual tendencies for fruitive action and for the full maturing of their devotional service. But we have to leave that up to Krishna.
So instead of wishing punishment for such a soul, we should leave it to Krishna and His laws of Karma, who work under Him, to decide the course of action.
In fact, a devotee would feel happy to see that a soul with criminal propensities has now surrendered to the Lord.
