I read in a previous issue of Sudarsanam that Sri Vaishnavas who have only undergone Panchasamskaram (Samashrayanam) are still considered Bhagavathas because they depend entirely on Perumal, even if they pray to Him for worldly or spiritual needs. My parents, wife, and brother have only undergone Samashrayanam. However, thinking that they are not elevated Bhagavathas because they have not done Prapatti, I have verbally slandered them many times over the past several years, committing many sins. They live an ordinary life without strictly following the Shastras. Even so, will the sin I committed not be forgiven by Perumal, and does it fall under “Bhagavatha Apacharam” (offence against devotees)?