1. Do neophyte devotees go back to Godhead?

    Devotee: I'm curious about the destination of a neophyte devotee. If a neophyte devotee is with determination endeavoring for purification but he were to meet with death as he is still influenced by the lower modes, although he is seriously trying, then does he take another birth, or does he go to Krsna?

    Prabhupada: No, he has to take another birth. If he is not completely purified, he has to suffer another birth. Nobody is allowed to enter into the spiritual unless he is cent per cent pure. No allowance. Then he has to… Therefore it is said, sucinam srimatam gehe yoga-bhrasto sanjayate [Bg. 6.41]. He is given chance, another chance, to take birth in a very pure brahmana family or rich family so that he may take again the chance. Not in…, he is allowed to enter. He is given a good chance again. That is his benefit. Even if you are failure, still, your next birth as a very first class human being is guaranteed. Not for others. It is only for the yogis. If he is… Therefore it is said that "What is the loss even if he is failure?" Tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer bhajann apakvo 'tha patet tato yadi yatra kva va abhadram abhud amusya kim [SB 1.5.17]. This verse is very important. Even if by sentiment one comes to Krsna consciousness and discharges the regulative duties, chants Hare Krsna, his next life is guaranteed as a human being. Even he does it for some time — he is not perfect — still, his next life is guaranteed. But for others, there is no such guarantee. Even if he discharges his so-called duties, material duties, there is no guarantee that he'll become a human being.

    Harikesa: So if a devotee dies and remembers Krsna, although he is not perfect…

    Prabhupada: Unless he is perfect, he cannot remember Krsna. That is not possible. That is not possible. That is theory only. He must be perfect. Somehow or other, he fallen, so Krsna gives him the chance. That is a special concession for devotee. Some way or other, you become devotee. Even if you cannot finish the whole job, if you fall down, still, there is guarantee that you get your birth in a very good society. That is the prerogative.

    > Morning Walk — November 2, 1975, Nairobi