48
The Nectar of Instruction
initiation [dikṣā] and is engaged in worshiping the Deity, and one should associate with and faithfully serve that pure devotee who is advanced in undeviated devotional service and whose heart is completely devoid of the propensity to criticize others.
PURPORT
In order to intelligently apply the sixfold loving reciprocations mentioned in the previous verse, one must select proper persons with careful discrimination. Śrila Rūpa Gosvāmī therefore advises that we should meet with the Vaiṣṇavas in an appropriate way, according to their particular status. In this verse he tells us how to deal with three types of devotees—the  kaniṣṭha-adhikārī ,  madhyama-adhikārī  and  uttama-adhikārī . The  kaniṣṭha-adhikārī  is a neophyte who has received the  hari-nāma  initiation from the spiritual master and is trying to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. One should respect such a person within his mind as a  kaniṣṭha-vaiṣṇava . A  madhyama-adhikārī  has received spiritual initiation from the spiritual master and has been fully engaged by him in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. The  madhyama-adhikārī  should be considered to be situated midway in devotional service. The  uttama-adhikārī , or highest devotee, is one who is very advanced in devotional service. An  uttama-adhikārī  is not interested in blaspheming others, his heart is completely clean, and he has attained the realized state of unalloyed Kṛṣṇa consciousness. According to Śrila Rūpa Gosvāmī, the association and service of such a  mahā-bhāgavata , or perfect Vaiṣṇava, are most desirable.