Whatever those who behave as enemies of the Lord, as the virulent atheists do, will find all their efforts unsuccessful. If they aspire to liberation or to merge into the existence of the Impersonal Supreme Spiritual Being, the only aspect of God known to believers on earth, if they wish to rise to the higher planetary systems as inveterate materialists, or seek to return to God, to their original abode, they will certainly find all their efforts frustrated.

Indeed, a man's misconduct has repercussions for his entire family.

He who offends a great soul will have to pay the price, and so will his family members.

For this reason, a virtuous, worthy, and noble man wishes to bear his punishment alone. Not wanting any calamity to befall him and his family, he wishes to bear the burden of his sin alone, without any detours. He hopes that his personal suffering will lead him to refrain from any further ineptitude in the future, and that the sin he has committed will thus be atoned for so that his descendants will not have to suffer.

This is how a responsible saint thinks. In return, his family members also share in the fruits of the loving and devoted service he offers to Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In fact, the greatest benefit or blessing that the Lord can bestow upon a family is to bring forth a saint.

The “great souls” are the learned sages, the authentic spiritual masters who are servants of Krishna, the devotees of the Lord, and the spiritual guides.

Narayana, the plenary emanation of Krishna, addressing Siva, said: O Lord, one who offends great souls cannot continue his existence. He is annihilated by his own sinful acts.

The following are the ten offenses that must not be committed:

1)     Blaspheming a devotee of the Lord.

2)     Equating the Lord with celestial beings or believing in the existence of many gods.

3)     Disregarding the orders of the spiritual master.

4)     Minimizing the authority of the Vedas, the original holy scriptures.

5)     Interpreting the holy name of the Lord.

6)     Knowingly committing reprehensible acts while relying on the chanting of the Holy Name to negate the consequences.

7)     Speaking to unbelievers about the glories of the Lord's Name.

8)     Comparing the chanting of the Holy Name to material piety.

9)     Being inattentive while chanting the Holy Names.

10)       Remaining attached to material things despite chanting the Holy Name and having heard so many instructions.

All those who commit an offense, and who, possessing great intelligence, are aware of the resulting effects, must imperatively ask for forgiveness. Everyone must do this, and take care not to offend great souls.

Truly, one who risks insulting a great soul can be certain to fall from his spiritual position. No one can protect one who blasphemes a great soul, least of all God. Even if he were as powerful as Lord Shiva, anyone who commits an offense inevitably heads for ruin. And if someone disregards this judgment and dares to blaspheme a wise scholar, a true spiritual master and servant of Krishna, a devotee of the Lord, or a spiritual guide, he will suffer for it life after life.

To protect ourselves from all this, let us surrender to Krishna, obey Him, do His divine will, renew the bond that unites us with Him, link our desires and interests to His, and serve Him with love and devotion. Then the Lord will take us under His protection.

Let us engrave this truth in golden letters in our memory.