20211203 Uttama, Madhyama and Kaniṣṭha According to:– 1. One’s Faith 2. Love & Attachment for Kṛṣṇa

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on 3rd December 2021 in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, India

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
paramānandaṁ mādhavaṁ śrī caitanya iśvaram

Hariḥ oṁ tat sat!

Hare Kṛṣṇa! Dear Devotees! Today is the compilation of Caitanya līlā book, the chapter today is entitled:

Uttama, Madhyama and Kaniṣṭha According to:– 1. One’s Faith 2. Love & Attachment for Kṛṣṇa
Under the section: The Process of Devotional Service

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.62

śraddhāra saṁjñā:—

‘śraddhā’-śabde—viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya
kṛṣṇe bhakti kaile sarva-karma kṛta haya

Translation: Śraddhā is confident, firm faith that by rendering transcendental loving service to Kṛṣṇa one automatically performs all subsidiary activities. Such faith is favorable to the discharge of devotional service.

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): Firm faith and confidence are called śraddhā. When one engages in the Lord’s devotional service, he is to be understood to have performed all his responsibilities in the material world. He has satisfied his forefathers, ordinary living entities, and demigods and is free from all responsibility. Such a person does not need to meet his responsibilities separately. It is automatically done. Fruitive activity (karma) is meant to satisfy the senses of the conditioned soul. However, when one awakens to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he does not have to work separately for pious activity. The best achievement of all fruitive activity is detachment from material life, and this detachment is spontaneously enjoyed by the devotee firmly engaged in the Lord’s service.

Jayapatākā Swami: So śrāddha is hereby defined as firm faith, and since everyone is indebted to love Kṛṣṇa, therefore by serving Kṛṣṇa, all one’s other debts are fulfilled

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.63

kṛṣṇa-pūjanei sakala pūjā — Śrīmad-Bhāgavate (4.31.14)—

yathā taror mūla-niṣecanena tṛpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopaśākhāḥ
prāṇopahārāc ca yathendriyāṇāṁ tathaiva sarvārhaṇam acyutejyā

Translation: ‘By pouring water on the root of a tree, one automatically satisfies the trunk, branches and twigs. Similarly, by supplying food to the stomach, where it nourishes the life air, one satisfies all the senses. In the same way, by worshiping Kṛṣṇa and rendering Him service, one automatically satisfies all the demigods.’

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (4.31.14).

Jayapatākā Swami: So, by worshipping Kṛṣṇa all other duties to the devatās and the others are fulfilled.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.64 

bhaktira adhikārī (trividha bhaktādhikāra) nirṇaya o bheda:—

śraddhāvān jana haya bhakti-adhikārī
‘uttama’, ‘madhyama’, ‘kaniṣṭha’—śraddhā-anusārī

Translation: A faithful devotee is a truly eligible candidate for the loving service of the Lord. According to one’s faith, one is classified as a topmost devotee, an intermediate devotee or an inferior devotee.

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): The word śraddhāvān (faithful) means understanding Kṛṣṇa to be the summum bonum — the eternal truth and absolute transcendence. If one has full faith in Kṛṣṇa and confidence in Him, one becomes eligible to discharge devotional service confidentially. According to one’s faith, one is a topmost, intermediate or inferior devotee.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the different extents one has faith that Kṛṣṇa is the Absolute Truth, the cause of all causes and therefore they are appropriately considered.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.65

(1) uttama-adhikārīra saṁjñā:—

śāstra-yuktye sunipuṇa, dṛḍha-śraddhā yāṅra
‘uttama-adhikārī’ sei tāraye saṁsāra

Translation: One who is expert in logic, argument and the revealed scriptures and who has firm faith in Kṛṣṇa is classified as a topmost devotee. He can deliver the whole world.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the uttama-adhikarī can explain Kṛṣṇa to anyone, since he has very firm faith since he is expert in logic, argument and śāstra.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.66

śāstre yuktau ca nipuṇaḥ sarvathā dṛḍha-niścayaḥ
prauḍha-śraddho ’dhikārī yaḥ sa bhaktāv uttamo mataḥ

Translation: One who is expert in logic and in understanding the 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.’

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.17), by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, this gives a definition of uttama-adhikarī.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.67

madhyama-adhikārīra saṁjñā—

śāstra-yukti nāhi jāne dṛḍha, śraddhāvān
‘madhyama-adhikārī’ sei mahā-bhāgyavān

Translation: One who is not very expert in argument and logic based on the revealed scriptures but who has firm faith is considered a second-class devotee. He also must be considered most fortunate.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the madhyama-adhikārī, he may not be able to convince non-believers but his faith is fixed

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.68

yaḥ śāstrādiṣv anipuṇaḥ śraddhāvān sa tu madhyamaḥ

Translation: ‘He who does not know scriptural argument very well but who has firm faith is called an intermediate or second-class devotee.’

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): This verse appears in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.18).

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the madhyama-adhikārī, he may not know the śāstric evidence very well but he has firm faith, so that is his qualification, even if he can’t respond he doesn’t lose his faith.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.69

(3) kaniṣṭha-adhikārīra saṁjñā—

yāhāra komala śraddhā, se ‘kaniṣṭha’ jana
krame krame teṅho bhakta ha-ibe ‘uttama’

Translation: One whose faith is soft and pliable is called a neophyte, but by gradually following the process he will rise to the platform of a first-class devotee.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, here the kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, he may get bewildered by some argument and lose his faith but he may doubt the argument and thus still follow the process and gradually he can rise up.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.70

yo bhavet komala-śraddhaḥ sa kaniṣṭho nigadyate

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

Jayapatākā Swami: This verse also appears in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.19).

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.71

bhaktira tāratamya kathana:—

rati-prema-tāratamye bhakta—tara-tama
ekādaśa skandhe tāra kariyāche lakṣaṇa

Translation: A devotee is considered superlative or superior according to his attachment and love. In the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the following symptoms have been given.

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has stated that if one has developed faith in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he is to be considered an eligible candidate for further advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Those who have faith are divided into three categories — uttama, madhyama and kaniṣṭha (first class, second class and neophyte). A first-class devotee has firm conviction in the revealed scriptures and is expert in arguing according to the śāstras. He is firmly convinced of the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The madhyama-adhikārī, or second-class devotee, has firm conviction in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but he cannot support his conviction by citing śāstric references. The neophyte devotee does not yet have firm faith. In this way the devotees are typed.

The standard of devotion is also categorized in the same way. A neophyte believes that only love of Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa consciousness is very good, but he may not know the basis of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness or how one can become a perfect devotee. Sometimes in the heart of a neophyte there is attraction for karma, jñāna or yoga. When he is free and transcendental to mixed devotional activity, he becomes a second-class devotee. When he becomes expert in logic and can refer to the śāstras, he becomes a first-class devotee. The devotees are also described as positive, comparative and superlative in terms of their love and attachment for Kṛṣṇa.

It should be understood that a madhyama-adhikārī, a second-class devotee, is fully convinced of Kṛṣṇa consciousness but cannot support his convictions with śāstric reference. A neophyte may fall down by associating with non-devotees because he is not firmly convinced and strongly situated. The second-class devotee, even though he cannot support his position with śāstric reference, can gradually become a first-class devotee by studying the śāstras and associating with a first-class devotee. However, if the second-class devotee does not advance himself by associating with a first-class devotee, he makes no progress. There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down, even though he may mix with non-devotees to preach. Conviction and faith gradually increase to make one an uttama-adhikārī, a first-class devotee.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, it is important that the devotees should read Śrīmad-bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā and Caitanya-caritāmṛta, become very expert in presenting the śāstric evidence, so they can become first class devotees.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.72

uttamādhikārī vā mahā-bhāgavatera lakṣaṇa—

sarva-bhūteṣu yaḥ paśyed bhagavad-bhāvam ātmanaḥ
bhūtāni bhagavaty ātmany eṣa bhāgavatottamaḥ

Translation: A person advanced in devotional service sees within everything the soul of souls, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Consequently he always sees the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the cause of all causes and understands that all things are situated in Him.

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.45).

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the uttama-adhikārī, sees Kṛṣṇa present as the Supersoul in all living entities, thus he is always in contact with Kṛṣṇa.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.73

madhyamādhikārīra lakṣaṇa:—

īśvare tad-adhīneṣu bāliśeṣu dviṣatsu ca
prema-maitrī-kṛpopekṣā yaḥ karoti sa madhyamaḥ

Translation: An intermediate, second-class devotee shows love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is friendly to all devotees and is very merciful to neophytes and ignorant people. The intermediate devotee neglects those who are envious of devotional service.

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): This is also a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.46). This statement was made by the great sage Nārada while he was speaking to Vasudeva about devotional service. This subject was originally discussed between Nimi, the King of Videha, and the nine Yogendras.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, this describes the symptoms of a madhyama-adhikārī, the intermediate devotee. Since he doesn’t have very strong arguments based on śāstras, he avoids the people who against the devotional service.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.74

kaniṣṭhādhikārīra lakṣaṇa—

arcāyām eva haraye pūjāṁ yaḥ śraddhayehate
na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu sa bhaktaḥ prākṛtaḥ smṛtaḥ

Translation: A prākṛta-bhakta, or materialistic devotee, does not purposefully study the śāstra and try to understand the actual standard of pure devotional service. Consequently he does not show proper respect to advanced devotees. He may, however, follow the regulative principles learned from his spiritual master and from his family who worships the Deity. He is to be considered on the material platform, although he is trying to advance in devotional service. Such a person is a bhakta-prāya [neophyte devotee], or bhaktābhāsa, for he is a little enlightened by Vaiṣṇava philosophy.’

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): This verse is also from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.47). Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says that one who has full love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead and who maintains a good friendship with the Lord’s devotees is always callous to those who envy Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa’s devotees. Such a person is to be considered an intermediate devotee. He becomes a first-class devotee when, in the course of advancing in devotional service, he feels an intimate relationship with all living entities, seeing them as part and parcel of the Supreme Person.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the kaniṣṭha-adhikārī or the neophyte devotees respects the deities in the temple or the church or mosque. But he doesn’t understand the position of an advanced devotee, nor does he fully understand the position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is doing some devotional service but he has much to learn, so for all this, studying the sacred books very focused and very concentratedly is recommended.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.75

śuddha-bhakta kṛṣṇera sarvaguṇei vibhūṣita —

sarva mahā-guṇa-gaṇa vaiṣṇava-śarīre
kṛṣṇa-bhakte kṛṣṇera guṇa sakali sañcāre

Translation: A Vaiṣṇava is one who has developed all good transcendental qualities. All the good qualities of Kṛṣṇa gradually develop in Kṛṣṇa’s devotee.

Jayapatākā Swami: By doing devotional service a devotee gradually develops all the good qualities.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.76

Translation: In one who has unflinching devotional faith in Kṛṣṇa, all the good qualities of Kṛṣṇa and the demigods are consistently manifest. However, he who has no devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead has no good qualifications because he is engaged by mental concoction in material existence, which is the external feature of the Lord.’

Purport: This was spoken by Prahlāda Mahārāja and his followers, who were offering prayers to Narsiṁhadeva (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.18.12).

Jayapatākā Swami: So, even though the materialist may show some nice qualities, he can change any time since his basis is illusory. Kaṁsā was driving the chariot graciously for his sister who was newly married to Vasudeva. Then a voice from the sky said that the eighth child of Devakī would kill you, immediately he developed an unfavorable attitude towards his sister Devakī and wanted to kill her. So we cannot rely on the good qualities of the materialist because he identifies himself as his body.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.77

vaiṣṇavera 26ṭī guṇa vā lakṣaṇa varṇana:—

sei saba guṇa haya vaiṣṇava-lakṣaṇa
saba kahā nā yāya, kari dig-daraśana

Translation: All these transcendental qualities are the characteristics of pure Vaiṣṇavas, and they cannot be fully explained, but I shall try to point out some of the important qualities.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, twenty-six important qualities are naturally acquired by the devotees.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.78-80

tanmadhye kṛṣṇaikaśaraṇatvai ‘svarūpa', avaśiṣṭa sabai ‘taṭastha’ lakṣaṇa:—

kṛpālu, akṛta-droha, satya-sāra, sama
nidoṣa, vadānya, mṛdu, śuci, akiñcana

sarvopakāraka, śānta, kṛṣṇaika-śaraṇa
akāma, anīha, sthira, vijita-ṣaḍ-guṇa

mita-bhuk, apramatta, mānada, amānī
gambhīra, karuṇa, maitra, kavi, dakṣa, maunī

Devotees are always merciful, humble, truthful, equal to all, faultless, magnanimous, mild and clean. They are without material possessions, and they perform welfare work for everyone. They are peaceful, surrendered to Kṛṣṇa and desireless. They are indifferent to material acquisitions and are fixed in devotional service. They completely control the six bad qualities — lust, anger, greed and so forth. They eat only as much as required, and they are not inebriated. They are respectful, grave, compassionate and without false prestige. They are friendly, poetic, expert and silent.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, these are the twenty-six qualities that a Vaiṣṇava acquires naturally by his performing devotional service.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.81

pramāṇa:— Śrīmad-Bhāgavate (3.25.21)—

Translation: Devotees are always tolerant, forbearing and very merciful. They are the well-wishers of every living entity. They follow the scriptural injunctions, and because they have no enemies, they are very peaceful. These are the decorations of devotees.’

Purport (by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda): This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.21). When the sages, headed by Śaunaka, inquired about Kapiladeva, the incarnation of Godhead, Sūta Gosvāmī, who was the topmost devotee of the Lord, quoted talks about self-realization between Vidura and Maitreya, a friend of Vyāsadeva’s. During these talks the topic of Lord Kapila had come up, and at that time Maitreya had repeated Kapiladeva’s discussions with His mother, wherein the Lord states that attachment to material things is the cause of conditioned life. When a person becomes attached to transcendental things, he is on the path of liberation.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, this verse from Śrīmad-bhāgavatam gives some of the qualities of the pure devotees.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.82

mahat vā vaiṣṇavera sevātei māyā-mocana, strīsaṅgi-sevāya saṁsāra bandhana
vā naraka-lābha—

mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimuktes
tamo-dvāraṁ yoṣitāṁ saṅgi-saṅgam
mahāntas te sama-cittāḥ praśāntā
vimanyavaḥ suhṛdaḥ sādhavo ye

Translation: It is the verdict of all śāstras and great personalities that service to a pure devotee is the path of liberation. By contrast, association with materialistic people who are attached to material enjoyment and women is the path of darkness. Those who are actually devotees are broadminded, equal to everyone and very peaceful. They never become angry, and they are friendly to all living entities.’

Purport: This verse is from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.5.2).

Jayapatākā Swami: If you associate with devotees then naturally you will advance in your Kṛṣṇa consciousness, if you associate with drunkards then you will take up to drinking, then if you associate with thieves then you may take up stealing, so association with materialists you are in the pathway to repeated birth and death.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.83

sādhu-saṅgera māhātmya-varṇana; sādhu-saṅgaphalei kṛṣṇa-sevā-lābha—

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-janma-mūla haya ‘sādhu-saṅga’
kṛṣṇa-prema janme, teṅho punaḥ mukhya aṅga

Translation: The root cause of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa is association with advanced devotees. Even when one’s dormant love for Kṛṣṇa awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.

Jayapatākā Swami: Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura explains that without the association of Vaiṣṇavas who has ever been delivered.

Thus ends the chapter entitled, Uttama, Madhyama and Kaniṣṭha According to:– 1. One’s Faith 2. Love & Attachment for Kṛṣṇa
Under the section: The Process of Devotional Service