332 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 7

developing into nine progressive stages of loving service under the headings
of attachment, love, affection, feelings, affinity, adherence, following,
ecstasy and intense feelings of separation.

The attachment of an inactive devotee develops up to the stage of
transcendental love of God. Attachment of an active servitor develops up
to the stage of adherence, and that for a friendly devotee develops up to
the stage of following, and the same is also the case for the paternal
devotees. Devotees in conjugal love develop. ecstasy up to the stage of
intense feelings of separation. These are some of the features of unalloyed
devotional service of the Lord.

According to Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya, the import of the word ittham-
bhitta is complete bliss. Transcendental bliss in the realization of imper-
sonal Brahman becomes comparable with the scanty water contained in
the pit made by a cow’s hoof. It is nothing compared to the ocean of
bliss of the vision of the Personality of Godhead. The personal form of
Lord Sri Krsna is so attractive that it comprehends all attraction, all bliss
and all tastes (rasas). These attractions are so strong that no one wants to
exchange material enjoyment, mystic powers and liberation for them.
There is no need of logical arguments in support of this statement, but
out of one’s own nature one becomes attracted by the qualities of Lord
Sri Krsna. We must know for certain that the qualities of the Lord have
nothing to do with mundane qualities. All of them are full of bliss, know-
ledge and eternity. There are innumerable qualities of the Lord, and one is
attracted by one quality while another is attracted by another.

Great sages, such as the four bachelor devotees Sanaka, Sanatana,
Sananda and Sanat-kumi§ra, are attracted by the fragrance of flowers and
tulasi leaves anointed with the pulp of sandalwood offered at the lotus
feet of the Lord. Similarly, Sukadeva Gosvami was attracted by the
transcendental pastimes of the Lord. Sukadeva Gosvami was already
situated in the liberated stage, yet he was attracted by the pastimes of the
Lord. This proves that the quality of His pastimes has nothing to do with
material affinity. Similarly, the young cowherd damsels were attracted by
the bodily feature of the Lord, and Rukmini was attracted by hearing
about the glories of the Lord. Lord Krsna attracts even the mind of the
goddess of fortune. He attracts, in special cases, the minds of all young
girls. He attracts the minds of the elderly ladies by paternal affection. He
attracts the minds of the male in the humors of servitude and friendship.

The word hari conveys various meanings, but the chief import of the
word is that He (the Lord) vanquishes everything inauspicious and takes
away the mind of the devotee by awarding pure transcendental love. By
