248 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 10, Ch. 3
mam ca yo ’vyabhicdrena
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa gundn samatityaitan
brahma-bhiydya kalpate
“One who engages in the spiritual activities of unalloyed devotional ser-
vice immediately transcends the modes of material nature and is elevated
to the spiritual platform.” From the very beginning of one’s transactions
in bhakti, one is situated on the transcendental platform. Vasudeva and
Devaki, therefore, being situated in a completely pure devotional state,
are beyond this material world and are not subject to material fear. In the
transcendental world, however, because of pure devotion, there is a simi-
lar conception of fear, which is due to intense love.

As stated in Bhagavad-gita (bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi
tattvatah) and as confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam (bhaktyaham ekaya
grahyah), without bhakti one cannot understand the spiritual situation
of the Lord. Bhakti may be considered in three stages, called guni-bhita,
pradhani-bhita and kevala, and according to these stages there are three
divisions, which are called jnadna, jidnamayi and rati, or prema—that is,
simple knowledge, love mixed with knowledge, and pure love. By simple
knowledge, one can perceive transcendental bliss without variety. This
perception is called mana-bhiti. When one comes to the stage of
jidnamayi, one realizes the transcendental opulences of the Personality
of Godhead. But when one reaches pure love, one realizes the transcen-
dental form of the Lord as Lord Krsna or Lord Rama. This is what is
wanted. Especially in the mddhurya-rasa, one becomes attached to the
Personality of Godhead (Sri-vigraha-nistha-riipddi). Then loving trans-
actions between the Lord and the devotee begin.

The special significance of Krsna’s bearing a flute in His hands in Vra-
jabhimi, Vrndavana, is described as mddhuri... virdjate. The form of
the Lord with a flute in His hands is most attractive, and the one who is
most sublimely attracted is Srimati Radharani, Radhika. She enjoys
supremely blissful association with Krsna. Sometimes people cannot
understand why Radhika’s name is not mentioned in Srimad-
Bhagavatam. Actually, however, Radhika can be understood from the
word drddhana, which indicates that She enjoys the highest loving
affairs with Krsna.
