How can a person avoid doing even minor sins?

[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on November 01, 2020, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by Swāmi are given below.]

[Śrī Pavan asked: Swāmi, we can usually identify some sins, if their negative impact is very high. But how do we also identify the minor sins that we do? It is very difficult to identify them because their negative effect is not so obvious. Will there be any amendments in the word of God according to the situation?]

Swāmi replied: First, you should concentrate on avoiding major sins, which have severe punishments, even during this life. Any sin becomes punishable provided there is an intention of doing the sin. When you are walking on the road, some ants might accidentally get crushed under your feet and die. It is not possible to walk on the road looking out for each and every ant. In that case, there is no sin because there is no intention of committing sin. Even the modern law stresses on the intention to commit a crime. In the case of a murder, the person who plans and commits a murder is more punishable than the person who happens to kill another person without any intention to kill. As far as your knowledge goes, do not harm good and devoted people, in any way for any selfish benefit. This point covers the vast majority of sins.

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