CDV 8-4

The Science of Bhakti Yoga

(1.1.1)

akhila-rasamrta-mūrtiḥ
prasrmara-ruci-ruddha-taraka-paliḥ
kalita-syama-lalito
radha-preyan vidhur jayati

[Let Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, be glorified! By virtue of His expanding attractive features, He subjugated the gopis named Taraka and Pali and absorbed the minds of Syama and Lalita. He is the most attractive lover of Srimati Radharani and is the reservoir of pleasure for devotees in all devotional mellows.]

(1.1.2)

hrdi yasya preranaya
pravartito 'ham varaka-rūpo 'pi
tasya hareḥ pada-kamalam
vande caitanya-devasya

[Although I am the lowest of men and have no knowledge, the inspiration to write transcendental literatures about devotional service has been mercifully bestowed upon me. Therefore I am offering my obeisances at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has given me the chance to write these books.]

(1.1.3)

visrama-mandirataya
tasya sanatana-tanor mad-isasya
bhakti-rasamrta-sindhur
bhavatu sadayam pramodaya

[May this Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu become the palatial resting chamber of Lord Krsna, my worshipable Deity, who is eternally situated in His own form, but who is also manifest as Srila Sanatana Gosvami, my lord and master. May this book always bring joy to him.]

(1.1.4)

bhakti-rasamrta-sindhau
carataḥ paribhūta-kalajalabhiyaḥ
bhakta-makaran asilita
mukti-nadikan namasyami

[Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto all the devotees who are sporting like sharks in the nectar ocean of devotional service. They do not pay any attention to the rivers of impersonal liberation, and they are unafraid of time itself which assumes the forms of aquatics such as birth, death, old age, and disease.]

(1.1.5)

mimamsaka-vaḍavagneḥ
kathinam api kunthayann asau jihvam
sphuratu sanatana suciram
tava bhakti-rasamrtambhodhiḥ

[O Sanatana, may your nectar ocean of devotional service be continuously manifest and may it extinguish the harsh fire of the quarreling mental speculators and jnanis, who are like volcanoes whose eruptions are rendered harmless in the depths of these great waters.]

(1.1.6)

bhakti-rasasya prastutir
akhila-jagan-mahgala-prasahgasya
ajnenapi mayasya kriyate
suhrdam pramodaya

[I have compiled this book on devotional service despite of my ignorance, in order to please my friends and wellwishers and to distribute Krsna's auspicious association all over the world.]

(1.1.7)

etasya bhagavad-bhakti-
rasamrta-payonidheḥ
catvaraḥ khalu vaksyante
bhagaḥ pūrvadayaḥ kramat

[This nectarean milk ocean of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead will be described in four sections or directions as it were; namely the Eastern, Southern, Western and Northern section.]

(1.1.8)

tatra pūrva-vibhage 'smin
bhakti-bheda-nirūpake
anu-kramena vaktavyam
laharinam catustayam

[In this first section there are four waves, in which the different types of devotional service will be described.]

(1.1.9)

adya samanya bhakty-aḍhya
dvitiya sadhanahkita
bhavasrita trtiya ca
turya prema-nirūpika

[The first wave describes devotional service in general. The second wave lists the prescriptions for regulated devotional service. In the third wave devotional service in ecstasy is discussed, and in the fourth wave pure love of Godhead will be explained.]

(1.1.10)

tatradau susthu vaisistyam
asyaḥ kathayitum sphutam
laksanam kriyate bhakter
uttamayaḥ satam matam

[In order to fully describe and classify devotional service, this wave explains the symptoms of first-class devotional service in accordance with the opinions of the learned sadhus, as follows:]

(1.1.11)

anyabhilasita-sūnyam
jnana-karmady-anavrtam
anukūlyena krsnanu-
silanam bhaktir uttama
[Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu ]

[When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Krsna favorably, as Krsna desires.]

As stated in the Narada Pancaratra-

(1.1.12)

sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hrsikena hrsikesa-
sevanam bhaktir ucyate
[Cc Madhya 19.170]

[Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and, simply by being employed in the service of the Lord, one's senses are purified.]

sri bhagavatasya trtiya skandhe ca
In the Third Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 3.29.12-14), it is also said-

(1.1.13)

ahaituky avyavahita
ya bhaktiḥ purusottame

[Devotional ecstasy flows uninterrupted by any material condition towards the Supreme Lord.]

(1.1.14)

salokya-sarsti-samipya-
sarūpyaikatvam apy uta
diyamanam na grhnanti
vina mat-sevanam janaḥ

[A pure devotee does not accept any kind of liberation-salokya, sarsti, samipya, sarūpya or ekatva-even though they are offered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]

(1.1.15)

sa eva bhakti-yogakhya
atyantika udahrtaḥ

[Bhakti-yoga, as described above, is the ultimate goal of life.]

(1.1.16)

salokyety adi-padyastha
bhaktotkarsa-nirūpanam
bhakter visuddhata-vyaktya
laksane paryavasyati

[These verses, beginning with the word salokya, are demonstrating the superiority of the pure devotees. The status of pure devotional service is described in the end.]

(1.1.17)

klesa-ghni subhada moksa-
laghutakrt sudurlabha
sandrananda-visesatma
sri-krsnakarsani ca sa

[Pure devotional service brings immediate relief from all kinds of material distress. It is the beginning of all auspiciousness. It minimizes the value of liberation. It is rarely achieved, it automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure and it is the only means to attract Krsna.]

tatrasyaḥ klesa-ghnatvam-
Relief from material distress-

(1.1.18)

klesas tu papam tad-bijam
avidya ceti te tridha

[There are three factors, namely suffering, sinful activities, and ignorance, which is the seed of both.]

tatra papam-
Sinful reactions are explained thus-

(1.1.19)

aprarabdham bhavet papam
prarabdham ceti tad dvidha

[There are two kinds of sinful reactions. Potential sinful reactions are called aprarabdha and manifest sinful reactions are known as prarabdha.]

tatraprarabdha-haratvam yathaikadase (SB 11.14.19)-
In connection with the destruction of potential sinful reactions, there is the following statement in the Eleventh Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam:

(1.1.20)

yathagniḥ susamrddharciḥ
karoty edhamsi bhasmasat
tatha mad-visaya bhaktir
uddhavainamsi krtsnasaḥ

[As all fuel is burned to ashes by a full-fledged fire, all sinful activities are totally erased when one engages in devotional service to Me.]

prarabdha-haratvam yatha trtiye (SB 3.33.6)-
The destruction of manifest sinful reactions is described in the Third Canto as follows:

(1.1.21)

yan-namadheya-sravananukirtanad
yat-prahvanad yat-smaranad api kvacit
svado 'pi sadyaḥ savanaya kalpate
kutaḥ punas te bhagavan nu darsanat

[To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him.]

(1.1.22)

durjatir eva savana-
'yogyatve karanam matam
durjaty arambhakam papam
yat syat prarabdham eva tat

[Low birth is thought to be the cause of one's disqualification to perform the soma sacrifice. That sinful activity, however, which caused the low birth, is known as prarabdha.]

padma-purane ca-
The Padma Purana says:

(1.1.23)

aprarabdha-phalam papam
kūtam bijam phalonmukham
kramenaiva praliyeta
visnu-bhakti-ratatmanam

[There are different stages of dormant reactions to sinful activities to be observed in a sinful life. Sinful reactions may be just waiting to take effect [phalonmukha], reactions may be still further dormant [kūta], or the reactions may be in a seedlike state [bija]. In any case, all types of sinful reactions are vanquished one after another if a person engages in the devotional service of Lord Visnu.]

bija-haratvam yatha sasthe (SB 6.2.17)-
In the Sixth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam the removal of seedlike sinful desires is described:

(1.1.24)

tais tany aghani pūyante
tapo-dana-vratadibhiḥ
nadharmajam tad-dhrdayam
tad apisahghri-sevaya

[Although one may neutralize the reactions of sinful life through austerity, charity, vows and other such methods, these pious activities cannot uproot the material desires in one's heart. However, if one serves the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, he is immediately freed from all such contaminations.]

avidya-haratvam yatha caturthe (1.1.25)

yat-pada-pahkaja-palasa-vilasa-bhaktya
karmasayam grathitam udgrathayanti santaḥ
tadvan na rikta-matayo yatayo 'pi ruddha-
sroto-ganas tam aranam bhaja vasudevam

[The devotees, who are always engaged in the service of the toes of the lotus feet of the Lord, can very easily overcome hard-knotted desires for fruitive activities. Because this is very difficult, the nondevotees-the jnanis and yogis-although trying to stop the waves of sense gratification, cannot do so. Therefore you are advised to engage in the devotional service of Krsna, the son of Vasudeva.]

padme ca-
In the Padma Purana it is also said:

(1.1.26)

krtanuyatra vidyabhir
hari-bhaktir anuttama
avidyam nirdahaty asu
dava-jvaleva pannagim

[Pure devotional service in Krsna consciousness is the highest enlightenment, and when such enlightenment is there, it is just like a blazing forest fire, killing all the inauspicious snakes of desire.]

subhadatvam-
All-auspiciousness-

(1.1.27)

subhani prinanam sarva-
jagatam anuraktata
sad-gunaḥ sukham ity adiny
akhyatani manisibhiḥ

[Learned sages have described the meaning of auspiciousness as: love for the entire creation, caring affection for all living entities, saintly character, happiness, and other such qualities.]

tatra jagat-prinanadi-dvaya-pradatvam, yatha padme-
In connection with making the whole world happy and being affectionate toward all living entities, the following statement is found in the Padma Purana:

(1.1.28)

yenarcito haris tena
tarpitani jaganty api
rajyanti jantavas tatra
jahgamaḥ sthavara api

[A person who is engaged in devotional service in full Krsna consciousness is to be understood to be doing the best service to the whole world and to be pleasing everyone in the world. In addition to human society, he is pleasing even the trees and animals, because they also become attracted by such activities.]

sad-gunadi-pradatvam yatha pancame (SB 5.18.12)-
How godly qualities are developed by devotional service is described in the Fifth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam:

(1.1.29)

yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana
sarvair gunais tatra samasate suraḥ
harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna
manorathenasati dhavato bahiḥ

[All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. On the other hand, a person devoid of devotional service and engaged in material activities has no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the practice of mystic yoga or the honest endeavor of maintaining his family and relatives, he must be driven by his own mental speculations and must engage in the service of the Lord's external energy. How can there be any good qualities in such a man?]

sukha-pradatvam-
Devotional service as giver of happiness -

(1.1.30)

sukham vaisayikam brahmam
aisvaram ceti tat tridha

[Happiness from material enjoyment, happiness from identification with Brahman and happiness derived from Krsna consciousness, are the three categories of happiness.]

yatha tantre-
As stated by Lord Siva in the tantra-sastra-

(1.1.31)

siddhayaḥ paramascarya
bhuktir muktis ca sasvati
nityam ca paramanandam
bhaved govinda-bhaktitaḥ

[My dear wife, a person who has surrendered himself at the lotus feet of Govinda and who has thus developed pure Krsna consciousness can be very easily awarded all the perfections desired by the impersonalists; and beyond this, he can enjoy the happiness achieved by the pure devotees.]

hari-bhakti-sudhodaye ca-
In the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya Prahlada Maharaja prays to Lord Nrsimhadeva-

(1.1.32)

bhūyo 'pi yace devesa
tvayi bhaktir drḍhastu me
ya moksanta catur-varga-
phalada sukhada lata

[My dear Lord, I repeatedly pray unto Your lotus feet that I may simply be stronger in devotional service. I simply pray that my Krsna consciousness may be more strong and steady, because happiness derived out of Krsna consciousness and devotional service is so powerful that with it one can have all the other perfections of religiousness, economic development, sense gratification and even the attainment of liberation from material existence.]

moksa-laghuta-krt-
Devotional service minimizes the importance of liberation-

(1.1.33)

manag eva prarūḍhayam
hrdaye bhagavad-ratau
purusarthas tu catvaras
trnayante samantataḥ

[When even a little attachment to Krsna arises in a person's heart, then religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation become as insignificant as straw.]

yatha narada-pancaratre-
In the Narada Pancaratra it is stated:

(1.1.34)

hari-bhakti-maha-devyaḥ
sarva mukhyadi siddhayaḥ
bhuktayas cadbhutas tasyas
cetikavad anuvrataḥ

[The wonderful pleasures derived from the main mystic perfections are afraid of Hari-bhakti-maha-devi, pure devotional service to Lord Hari, and they become her faithful attendants.]

sudurlabha-
Devotional service is rarely achieved-

(1.1.35)

sadhanaughair anasahgair
alabhya sucirad api
harina casv adeyeti
dvidha sa syat sudurlabha

[Devotional perfection is very difficult to attain for two reasons. First, unless one is attached to Krsna, he cannot attain devotional perfection even if he renders devotional service for a long time. Second, Krsna does not easily deliver perfection in devotional service.]

tatradya, yatha tantre-
The exalted position of devotional service is described in the tantra-sastra-

(1.1.36)

jnanataḥ su-labha muktir
bhuktir yajnadi-punyataḥ
seyam sadhana-sahasrair
hari-bhaktiḥ su-durlabha

[By cultivating philosophical knowledge one can understand his spiritual position and thus be liberated, and by performing sacrifices and pious activities one can achieve sense gratification in a higher planetary system, but the devotional service of the Lord is so rare that even by executing hundreds and thousands of such sacrifices one cannot obtain it.]

dvitiya yatha pancama skandhe (SB 5.6.18)-
This is further supported by the following statement in the Fifth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam-

(1.1.37)

rajan patir gurur alam bhavatam yadūnam
daivam priyaḥ kula-patiḥ kva ca kihkaro vaḥ
astv evam ahga bhagavan bhajatam mukundo
muktim dadati karhicit sma na bhakti-yogam

[Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, the Supreme Person, Mukunda, is actually the maintainer of all the members of the Panḍava and Yadu dynasties. He is your spiritual master, worshipable Deity, friend, and the director of your activities. To say nothing of this, He sometimes serves your family as a messenger or servant. This means He worked just as ordinary servants do. Those engaged in getting the Lord's favor attain liberation from the Lord very easily, but He does not very easily give the opportunity to render direct service unto Him.]

sandrananda-visesatma yatha-
The happiness of becoming one with the Supreme-

(1.1.38)

brahmanando bhaved esa
cet parardha-guni-krtaḥ
naiti bhakti-sukhambhodheḥ
paramanu-tulam api

[If brahmananda, the transcendental bliss derived from understanding impersonal Brahman, were multiplied a million times, such a quantity of brahmananda could not compare with even an atomic portion of the pleasure relished in pure devotional service.]

yatha hari-bhakti-sudhodaye-
In the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya, Prahlada Maharaja prays to Lord Nrsimhadeva as follows:

(1.1.39)

tvat-saksat-karanahlada-
visuddhabdhi-sthitasya me
sukhani gospadayante
brahmany api jagad-guro

[My dear Lord, O master of the universe, since I have directly seen You, my transcendental bliss has taken the shape of a great ocean. Being situated in that ocean, I now realize all other so-called happiness to be like the water contained in the hoofprint of a calf.]

Sridhara Svami, in his Bhavartha-dipika commentary to Srimad-Bhagavatam, (SB 10.87.21), writes:

(1.1.40)

tvat-kathamrta-pathodhau
viharanto maha-mudaḥ
kurvanti krtinaḥ kecic
catur-vargam trnopamam

[For those who take pleasure in the transcendental topics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the four progressive realizations of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation, all combined together, cannot compare, any more than a straw, to the happiness derived from hearing about the transcendental activities of the Lord.]

sri-krsna-karsini-
Attracting Krsna-

(1.1.41)

krtva harim prema-bhajam
priya-varga-samanvitam
bhaktir vasikarotiti
sri-krsna-karsini mata

[Bhakti, devotional service, is known as sri-krsna-karsini, which means that she fully controls Krsna in so many ways, through the influence of love.]

yathaikadese (SB 11.14.20)-
As stated in the Eleventh Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam-

(1.1.42)

na sadhayati mam yogo
na sahkhyam dharma uddhava
na svadhyayas tapas tyago
yatha bhaktir mamorjita

[[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, said:] 'My dear Uddhava, neither through astahga-yoga [the mystic yoga system to control the senses], nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through practice of austerities, nor through charity, nor through acceptance of sannyasa can one satisfy Me as much as one can by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.]

saptame ca naradoktau (SB 7.10.48)-
And in the Seventh Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Narada Muni says-

(1.1.43)

yūyam nr-loke bata bhūri-bhaga
lokam punana munayo 'bhiyanti
yesam grhan avasatiti saksad
gūḍham param brahma manusya-lihgam

[Narada Muni continued: My dear Maharaja Yudhisthira, all of you [the Panḍavas] are extremely fortunate, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, lives in your palace just like a human being. Great saintly persons know this very well, and therefore they constantly visit this house.]

(1.1.44)

agrato vaksyamanayas
tridha bhakter anukramat
dvisaḥ saḍbhiḥ padair etan
mahatmyam parikirtitam

[At the beginning of this book, the greatness of devotional service, bhakti, has been glorified by describing these six uncommon characteristics listed above. Bhakti can be divided into three categories, with each successive category having two more qualities than the previous one.]

kim ca-
Furthermore-

(1.1.45)

svalpapi rucir eva syad
bhakti-tattvavabodhika
yuktis tu kevala naiva
yad asya apratisthata

[If a person has even a little taste for understanding devotional service, the revealed scriptures will bring him nearer to the truth of bhakti. But for one who is only interested in speculating and book knowledge and who does not engage in practical service, understanding will never be conclusive.]

tatha pracinair apy uktam-
In the words of the ancient sages-

(1.1.46)

yatnenapadito 'py arthaḥ
kusalair anumatrbhiḥ
abhiyuktatarair anyair
anyathaivopapadyate

[Whatever meaning has been ascertained with great endeavor by expert logicians, it is found to be inconsistent by those who have even greater erudition.]

iti sri-bhakti-rasamrta-sindhau pūrva-vibhage bhakti-samanya-lahari prathama.

Thus ends the First Wave in the Eastern Section of the Nectar Ocean of Devotional Service, entitled "A General Description of Devotional Service."

(1.2.1)

sa bhaktiḥ sadhana bhavaḥ
prema ceti tridhodita

[This process of bhakti-yoga can be divided into three categories-namely devotional service in practice, devotional service in ecstasy and devotional service in pure love of God.]

tatra sadhana-bhaktiḥ-
Devotional service in practice-

(1.2.2)

krti-sadhya bhavet sadhya-
bhava sa sadhanabhidha
nitya-siddhasya bhavasya
prakatyam hrdi sadhyata

[When transcendental devotional service by which love for Krsna is attained is executed by the senses, it is called sadhana-bhakti, or the regulative discharge of devotional service. Such devotion eternally exists within the heart of every living entity. The awakening of this eternal devotion is the potentiality of devotional service in practice.]

(1.2.3)

sa bhaktiḥ saptama skandhe
bhahgya devarsinodita

[In the Seventh Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam Narada Muni has systematically described this process of sadhana-bhakti or devotional service in practice.]

yatha saptame (SB 7.1.32)-
He says as follows:

(1.2.4)

tasmat kenapy upayena
manaḥ krsne nivesayet

[Somehow or other we have to attach our minds to Krsna consciousness.]

(1.2.5)

vaidhi raganuga ceti
sa dvidha sadhanabhidha

[This sadhana-bhakti, or practice of devotional service, may be divided into two parts. The first part is called service according to the regulative principles or vaidhi-bhakti. The second part is called raganuga or developing attachment by following those who are naturally attracted to Krsna.]

tatra vaidhi-
Service according to the regulative principles-

(1.2.6)

yatra ragan avaptatvat
pravrttir upajayate
sasanenaiva sastrasya
sa vaidhi bhaktir ucyate

[When there is no attachment or no spontaneous loving service to the Lord, and one is engaged in the service of the Lord simply out of obedience to the order of the spiritual master or in pursuance of the scriptures, such obligatory service is called vaidhi-bhakti.]

yatha dvitiye (SB 2.1.5)-
As stated in the Second Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam-

(1.2.7)

tasmad bharata sarvatma
bhagavan harir isvaraḥ
srotavyaḥ kirtitavyas ca
smartavyas cecchatabhayam

[O descendant of King Bharata, one who desires to be free from all miseries must hear about, glorify and also remember the Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul, the controller and the savior from all miseries.]

As stated in the Padma Purana-

(1.2.8)

smartavyaḥ satatam visnur
vismartavyo na jatucit
sarve vidhi-nisedhaḥ syur
etayor eva kihkaraḥ

[Krsna is the origin of Lord Visnu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be the servants of these two principles.]

(1.2.9)

ity asau syad vidhir nityaḥ
sarva-varnasramadisu
nityatve 'py asya nirnitam
ekadasy-adivat phalam

[This prescription is applicable to the entire range of varnasrama followers alike-brahmacaris, grhasthas, vanaprasthas, sannyasis, brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sūdras. It has been positively concluded that by steadily following this instruction one may attain results similar to those obtained by observing the ekadasi-vrata or other such vows.]

ekadase tu vyaktam evoktam (SB 11.5.2-3)-
In the Eleventh Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated-

(1.2.10)

mukha-bahūru-padebhyaḥ
purusasyasramaiḥ saha
catvaro jajnire varna
gunair vipradayaḥ prthak

[From the mouth of Brahma, the brahminical order has come into existence. Similarly, from his arms the ksatriyas have come, from his waist the vaisyas have come, and from his legs the sūdras have come. These four orders and their spiritual counterparts [brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa] combine to make human society complete.]

(1.2.11)

ya esam purusam saksad-
atma-prabhavam isvaram
na bhajanty avajananti
sthanad bhrastaḥ patanty adhaḥ

[If one simply maintains an official position in the four varnas and asramas but does not worship the Supreme Lord Visnu, he falls down from his puffed-up position into a hellish condition.]

As stated in the Eleventh Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 11.27.49)-

(1.2.12)

evam kriya-yoga-pathaiḥ
puman vaidika-tantrikaiḥ
arcann ubhayataḥ siddhim
matto vindaty abhipsitam

[By worshiping Me through the various methods prescribed in the Vedas and tantras, one will gain from Me his desired perfection in both this life and the next.]

pancaratre ca-
In the Narada Pancaratra it is stated-

(1.2.13)

surarse vihita sastre
harim uddisya ya kriya
saiva bhaktir iti prokta
taya bhaktiḥ para bhavet iti

[Any activities sanctioned in the revealed scriptures and aiming at the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are accepted by saintly teachers as the regulative principles of devotional service. If one regularly executes such service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master, then gradually he rises to the platform of serving in pure love of God.]

tatradhikari-
Eligibility of the candidate for accepting devotional service-

(1.2.14)

yaḥ kenapy ati-bhagyena
jata-sraddho 'sya sevane
nati-sakto na vairagya-
bhag asyam adhikary asau

[One who has become purified by association with great devotees engaged in the service of the Lord, who is not overly attached to material enjoyment nor overly renounced or falsely renounced, such a person is a qualified candidate for devotional service.]

yathaikadase (SB 11.20.8)-
As stated in the Eleventh Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam-

(1.2.15)

yadrcchaya mat-kathadau
jata-sraddhas tu yaḥ puman
na nirvinno natisakto
bhakti-yogo 'sya siddhidaḥ

[Somehow or other, if one is attracted to talks about Me and has faith in the instructions I have set forth in Bhagavad-gita, and if one is actually detached from material things and material existence, his dormant love for Me will be awakened by devotional service.]

(1.2.16)

uttamo madhyamas ca syat
kanisthas ceti sa tridha

[There are three classes of devotees-the first-class devotee [uttama-bhakta], the second-class devotee or [Cc Madhyama-bhakta], and the neophyte devotee or [kanistha-bhakta].]

tatrottamaḥ-
About the topmost devotee-

(1.2.17)

sastre yuktau ca nipunaḥ
sarvatha drḍha-niscayaḥ
prauḍha-sraddho 'dhikari yaḥ
sa bhaktav uttamo mataḥ

[One who is expert in logic and understanding of revealed scriptures, and who always has firm conviction and deep faith that is not blind, is to be considered a topmost devotee in devotional service.]

madhyamaḥ-
About the second-class devotee-

(1.2.18)

yaḥ sastradisv anipunaḥ
sraddhavan sa tu madhyamaḥ

[He who does not know scriptural argument very well but who has firm faith is called an intermediate or second-class devotee.]

kanisthaḥ-
About the neophyte devotee-

(1.2.19)

yo bhavet komala-sraddhaḥ
sa kanistho nigadyate

[One whose faith is not very strong, who is just beginning, should be considered a neophyte devotee.]

(1.2.20)

tatra gitadisūktanam
caturnam adhikarinam
madhye yasmin bhagavataḥ
krpa syat tat priyasya va

[The four classes of persons who surrender unto the Lord and who are mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita (arto jijnasur artharti jnani ca) are also counted as neophyte devotees. Such persons can be elevated to the second- or first-class platform if they can get the association of pure devotees.]

(1.2.21)

sa ksina-tat-tad-bhavaḥ syac
chuddha-bhakty-adhikaravan
yathebhaḥ saunakadis ca
dhruvaḥ sa ca catuḥ-sanaḥ

[When the materialistic motivations of a person have been destroyed, he becomes eligible to perform pure devotional service of the highest order. Examples of these four types of persons, [in the same order as listed in the Gita], are-the elephant Gajendra, who was seeking relief from distress; Saunaka Rsi and the sages of Naimisaranya, who were inquisitive; Maharaja Dhruva, who was searching after wealth; and the four Kumaras, who were wise men, seeking for knowledge.]

(1.2.22)

bhukti-mukti-sprha yavat
pisaci hrdi vartate
tavad bhakti-sukhasyatra
katham abhyudayo bhavet

[The material desire to enjoy the material world and the desire to become liberated from material bondage are considered to be two witches, and they haunt one like ghosts. As long as these witches remain within the heart, how can one feel transcendental bliss? As long as these two witches remain in the heart, there is no possibility of enjoying the transcendental bliss of devotional service.]

(1.2.23)

tatrapi ca visesena
gatim anvim anicchataḥ
bhaktir hrta-manaḥ-pranan
premna tan kurute janan

[Amongst the above-mentioned four types of devotees, the one who does not desire liberation is most excellent. Such persons engage in devotional service (beginning with hearing and chanting) with so much love that their minds and senses become completely absorbed and they become oblivious of material existence.]

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