82 The Nectar of Instruction

TRANSLATION

In the sastra it is said that of all types of fruitive
workers, he who is advanced in knowledge of the
higher values of life is favored by the Supreme Lord
Hari. Out of many such people who are advanced in
knowledge [jfianis], one who is practically liberated by
virtue of his knowledge may take to devotional service.
He is superior to the others. However, one who has ac-
tually attained prema, pure love of Krsna, is superior to
him. The gopis are exalted above all the advanced devo-
tees because they are always totally dependent upon Sri
Krsna, the transcendental cowherd boy. Among the
gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Krsna. Her
kunda [lake] is as profoundly dear to Lord Krsna as
this most beloved of the gopis. Who, then, will not
reside at Radha-kunda and, in a spiritual body
surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings [aprakrta-
bhava], render loving service to the divine couple Sri
Sri Radha-Govinda, who perform Their astakaliya-lila,
Their eternal eightfold daily pastimes. Indeed, those
who execute devotional service on the banks of Radha-
kunda are the most fortunate people in the universe.

PURPORT

At the present moment almost everyone is engaged in
some kind of fruitive activity. Those who are desirous of
gaining material profits by working are called karmis, or
fruitive workers. All living entities within this material
world have come under the spell of maya. This is described
in the Visnu Purana (6.7.61):
