Summary of the Principles of Religion
1. Morality:
a. Truthfulness.
– Always speak the truth
– Never mislead anyone
– Know what is right and what is wrong
– Never break vows
– Never betray anyone
b. Compassion for all living beings.
c. Charity.
d. Cleanliness.
e. Servant to Everyone.
2. Worship and Service to God.
All the above items come under “following the scriptural injunctions” which are found in the Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam.
Those who know nothing about religion are far better than those gurus who do kathas and do not follow all the above items and thus they misguide people in the name of religion.
“A person in ignorance of the principles of religion, who therefore does nothing in the matter of religion, is far better than a person who misguides others in the name of religion…” (Swami Srila Prabhupada)
Now days people go to temples, do all kinds of rituals, fast, go on pilgrimage etc… But they are not morale because they lie, behave badly, or treat people badly etc.. Such people are simply accumulating sins and their devotional service to God is of no value. It’s like the elephants who bathe in clean water and then come out and put dirt on themselves.
Only those are morale please God, and thus being morale (following 1a to 1e. above) is very important.