“Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge, you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries.” (Bg.4.36)

“Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated. He or she quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti [Arjuna], declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.” (Bg.9.30-31)

All right, so what if you make a mistake along the way? Or what if you made so many mistakes or sinful activities before accepting this path? Some people may wonder if they have a chance? But do not let things like this make you depressed, upset or ready to give up. I have already explained that whatever you can do gives eternal benefit. So feeling like quitting is just another temporary mood of an unfriendly mind. We have to control this and stay focused on the goal, which is attained over the long-term with faithful and steady progress. However, it can also be attained immediately, depending on how sincere we are.

As Lord Krishna says here, even if we have been the worst of sinners, if we accept this path and enter the boat of spiritual knowledge and follow it sincerely, we become purified of our previous acts and can cross this ocean of material existence to the spiritual domain.

Even if one is on this path yet for some reason makes some mistakes, if he or she is apologetic for them and continues to seriously engage in devotional service, then one will still be rightly situated. He will again become purified of such mistakes. Of course, this does not mean that you make a plan to engage in questionable activities while thinking you will again become freed from the reactions of them by your devotional service. That will not work. You will still be held accountable. In fact, to think that you can engage in sinful activities and then be free from the reactions by the performance of devotional service is offensive. And too much of such nonsense spoils your spiritual service. But those who are serious and enthusiastic about spiritual life and try their best, despite some mistakes along the way, can take courage because Lord Krishna explains that His devotee never perishes. He is always protected, and at the time of death he or she can reach the spiritual abode.