If the prostitutes in Dwarka were pure devotees, why did they use their bodies for such an activity?

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Question:
How do we understand the presence of prostitutes in Dwarka, and the idea that they were pure devotees? Why would pure devotees engage in such a profession?

Answer:
First of all, I must acknowledge that I haven’t found any clear or conclusive explanation from our acharyas specifically addressing this issue. What I’m about to share is an inference based on my broad understanding of the Bhagavatam’s overarching message.

1. The Central Theme of the Bhagavatam: Overwhelming Attraction to Krishna

The Bhagavatam is not just a historical narrative—it’s a spiritual text meant to illustrate the transformative power of devotional attraction to Krishna, irrespective of material qualifications or disqualifications.

This is vividly illustrated in:

• The Rasa Panchadhyayi (the five chapters of the Rasa-lila), where the gopis abandon social conventions to be with Krishna—not out of immorality, but out of transcendent devotion.
• King Parikshit’s response to being cursed—rather than lamenting the unfairness, he uses it as an opportunity to absorb himself in Krishna.
• The departure of Krishna and his associates in a seemingly shocking way, and yet Arjuna and Uddhava respond by taking deeper shelter in remembrance of Krishna.

These examples show that devotion transcends social norms, and remembrance of Krishna is the highest principle.

2. Pingala: A Precedent for Transformation

In the Eleventh Canto, we find the story of Pingala, a prostitute who, in a moment of failure and frustration, experiences a profound spiritual awakening and becomes detached from material desires.

This illustrates how even someone engaged in what is normally seen as a sinful profession can, under Krishna’s grace, develop spiritual realization.

3. The Prostitutes of Dwarka and the Elastic Use of “Pure Devotees”

When the Bhagavatam describes Krishna entering Dwarka and how all citizens, including prostitutes, were attracted to him, the emphasis is on Krishna’s universal attractiveness, not necessarily on the moral or spiritual qualifications of each individual.

Srila Prabhupada sometimes referred to all devotees as pure devotees, and at other times qualified that as potential pure devotees. So, the term “pure devotee” can sometimes be used elastically, depending on the context.

In this specific case, it is likely that:

• The prostitutes’ attraction to Krishna was pure, in the sense that it was not sensual or selfish, but a response to Krishna’s divine beauty and presence.
• Their social role or profession does not necessarily define the purity of that specific devotional moment.

4. Material vs Spiritual Geography in Krishna’s Pastimes

Krishna’s pastimes in Dwarka straddle the spiritual and material realms. How much of what is present there is fully spiritual and how much is part of material society is not always clearly delineated.

For example:

• In the Mahabharata, we see butchers and others in low-status professions who still interact with divine personalities.
• In Mahaprabhu’s pastimes, there’s a fisherman who plays a role.
• In Dwarka, not everyone may have been an eternally liberated associate. Some could have been conditioned souls elevated by Krishna’s presence, or simply part of the human society Krishna interacted with.

5. The Power of Krishna’s Attraction

Rather than questioning, “How could pure devotees be prostitutes?”, a more spiritually constructive perspective is to ask:

• “How could even prostitutes become attracted to Krishna?”

This underscores Krishna’s irresistible charm, which can transcend even deep-seated material conditioning.

Whether or not these individuals attained immediate liberation or complete transformation is not detailed in the text, and it’s best not to speculate unnecessarily.

6. Not Everyone in Dwarka Was Spiritually Perfect

Even in Dwarka:

• Krishna was falsely accused of being behind Satrajit’s assassination.
• Rumors circulated about him.
• Not all citizens necessarily understood or accepted him fully.

This shows that even in Krishna’s own city, there were mixed levels of spiritual realization. Hence, it’s possible that certain professions existed there as part of the broader social structure.

7. Conclusion: A Focus on Krishna’s Transformative Power

The presence of prostitutes in Dwarka is not a commentary on the spiritual acceptability of that profession, nor an endorsement of moral relativism. Rather, it serves to highlight the power of Krishna’s divine charm, which can touch the hearts of even those in the most materially entangled conditions.

Instead of seeing this as a challenge to the concept of pure devotion, we can see it as a glorification of Krishna’s universal attractiveness, which can awaken devotion in even the most unexpected people.

That is the miracle and the message of the Bhagavatam.