366 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Madhya-lila, Ch. 22

TRANSLATION

‘A devotee is considered superlative and superior according to his attach-
ment and love. In the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, the following
symptoms have been ascertained.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has stated that if one has developed faith in Krsna
consciousness, he is to be considered an eligible candidate for further advance-
ment in Krsna consciousness. Those who have faith are divided into three catego-
ries —uttama, madhyama and kanistha (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 sdstras. He is firmly convinced of the science of Krsna
consciousness. The madhyama-adhik4ri, or second-class devotee, has firm con-
viction in Krsna consciousness, but he cannot support his conviction by citing
Sastric 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 Krsna or Krsna consciousness is very good, but he may
not know the basis of pure Krsna consciousness or how one can become a perfect
devotee. Sometimes in the heart of a neophyte there is attraction for karma, jfiana
or yoga. When he is free and transcendental to mixed devotional activity, he be-
comes a second-class devotee. When he becomes expert in logic and can refer to
the sdstras, he becomes a first-class devotee. The devotees are also described as
positive, comparative and superlative, in terms of their love and attachment for
Krsna.

It should be understood that a madhyama-adhikdri, a second-class devotee, is
fully convinced of Krsna consciousness but cannot support his convictions with
sastric reference. A neophyte may fall down by associating with nondevotees be-
cause he is not firmly convinced and strongly situated. The second-class devotee,
even though he cannot support his position with sastric reference, can gradually
become a first-class devotee by studying the sdstras 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 ut-
tama-adhikadri, a first-class devotee.

TEXT 72

AA QUST A AIGA AAAs |
QOrhy SHISTTADI SATA STSAs #92 I
