Without Fault - The Vedic Perspective on Innocence and Guilt
Śrīla Prabhupāda provides a profound understanding of who is truly without fault according to the injunctions of Vedic civilization. Unlike modern society, which often punishes the innocent and excuses the sinful, the Vedic system clearly delineates protected classes, the blameless nature of pure transcendentalists, and the heavy karmic reactions awaiting those who attack faultless individuals.
Protected Classes in Vedic Society
Vedic law is uniquely compassionate and structured to protect the vulnerable. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that in a truly civilized society, groups such as children, women, cows, brāhmaṇas, and the elderly are considered innocent and without fault, meaning they are exempt from standard state punishments and must be meticulously protected by the government.
- According to Vedic politics, the children and Brahmin, old men and woman, they have no fault. They are out of all laws of the state. Their fault will never be taken as seriously. They are innocent. They require protection.
- In the laws of the state, a woman, a child, a brahmin and cow has no fault. They have no . . . I mean to say, in the criminal court they are never prosecuted. That is the Hindu law.
- One should be respectful also to the old men. According to Vedic knowledge, brahmana, old men, child, woman and cow, they have no fault. They are free.
- A child is born ignorant. If the father, mother, guardians do not give him education, then his life is spoiled. The child has no fault. It is the fault of the guardians.
The Danger of Envious Entities
The material world is fraught with envious beings who cause unnecessary harm. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that it is the characteristic of snakes and scorpions to attack innocent people without fault; similarly, the demons of modern warfare and envious men are condemned because they relentlessly harm faultless citizens.
- Then why a sadhu is pleased when a sarpa, a scorpion, or snake is killed? The reason is that these two kinds of creatures, they bite innocent persons without any fault. Without any fault. Or for little fault.
- We find in modern warfare that attacks are made upon innocent citizens who are without fault. According to the law of Manu, such warfare is a most sinful activity.
- His brother, Uttama, was without fault, yet he was killed by one of the Yaksas. It was the duty of Dhruva Maharaja to kill the offender (life for life) because Dhruva was the king.
- When Kali could not penetrate into the daily behavior of the people, he planned killing of Pariksit Maharaja. So one Kali brahmin cursed him to death, for no fault practically. Therefore the brahmins of this age, they are condemned.
The Position of Supreme Controllers
Great spiritual authorities and the Supreme Lord are not subject to the ordinary laws of karma. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that īśvaras (controllers), empowered incarnations, and pure sādhus perform activities that are entirely without fault, even if they appear perplexing to ordinary individuals.
- Isvaranam, those who are isvaras, the controllers, there is no fault. You should not imitate them; simply you should imitate their instruction. Not that their activities which we may not understand, why he is doing that.
- Sankara is the incarnation of Lord Siva. He has no fault. He has simply executed the order of the Supreme Lord. But the way in which he has presented the commentary, one should not hear it.
- Whatever a sadhu does, there is no fault. Everything is right. But still, because we are in this material world, we shall act in such a way that nobody can accuse us. Sato vrtteh. Sadhu is above all this vrtta.
- Although there is no fault, the guru's business is to, "Where is his fault?" That is guru's business. Tasmad tadayet na tu lalayet.
Modern Degradation vs. Vedic Purity
The moral compass of human society has severely deteriorated in the current age. Śrīla Prabhupāda observes that modern civilization accepts gross sinful activities as having no fault, whereas Vedic civilization strictly identifies them as detrimental to spiritual progress.
- At the present moment, to become attached to a prostitute is no fault. The society accepts, "Oh, that's not fault . . . young man goes to that." Does not mind.
- Nowadays, not so much in India, but in the Western countries it is very usual thing - a young man is embracing another young woman or kissing. So there is no fault. But according to Vedic civilization, this is fault - because it'll give chance to others.
- Let him explain what is that fault (in our philosophy). Then we can reply. But without fault, if they make some complaints, that is very difficult thing. What is our fault? Please tell me.
- Ordinary food cooked by an avaisnava should not be accepted by a Vaisnava. Even if an avaisnava cooks food without fault, he cannot offer it to Lord Visnu, and it cannot be accepted as maha-prasadam.
Conclusion
To establish a truly peaceful and progressive society, humanity must adopt the flawless standards of Vedic civilization. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that recognizing who is truly without fault—such as innocent children, brāhmaṇas, and cows—and providing them with absolute protection is the primary duty of any civilized government. Simultaneously, one must recognize that modern society is heavily infected by envy, where innocent citizens are frequently attacked or killed without fault. By taking shelter of the pure instructions of the īśvaras and the bona fide spiritual master, who act completely without fault, a sincere soul can navigate the complexities of material life and ultimately attain the flawless, eternal realm of the spiritual sky.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Without Fault. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.