Text 16] — Prthu Maharaja’s Meeting with the Four Kumaras 905

Indeed, not only is he convinced himself, but he can convince others on
the strength of Vedic evidence. The advanced devotee can also see all other
living entities as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, without discrimina-
tion. The madhyama-adhikari (preacher) is also well-versed in the sdstras
and can convince others also, but he discriminates between the favorable
and the unfavorable. In other words, the madhyama-adhikani does not
care for the demoniac living entities, and the neophyte kanistha-adhikan
does not know much about sastra but has full faith in the Supreme Person-
ality of Godhead. The Kumaras were, however, maha-bhagavatas because
after scrutinizingly studying the Absolute Truth, they became devotees.
In other words, they were in full knowledge of the Vedic conclusion. In
the Bhagavad-gita it is confirmed by the Lord that there are many devotees,
but a devotee who is fully conversant in the Vedic conclusion is very dear
to Him. Everyone is trying to elevate himself to the highest position ac-
cording to his mentality. The karmis, who have a bodily concept of life,
try to enjoy sense gratification to the utmost. The jianis’ idea of the
highest position is merging into the effulgence of the Lord. But a devotee’s
highest position is in preaching all over the world the glories of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore the devotees are actually the
representatives of the Supreme Lord, and as such they travel all over the
world directly as Narayana because they carry Narayana within their
hearts and preach His glories. The representative of Narayana is as good
as Narayana, but he is not to conclude, like the Mayavadis, that he has
become Narayana. Generally, a sannyast is addressed as Narayana by the
Mayavadis. Their idea is that simply by taking sannyasa one becomes
equal to Narayana or becomes Narayana Himself. The Vaignava conclu-
sion is different, as stated by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura:

saksad-dharitvena samasta-sdstrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih

kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

According to the Vaignava philosophy, a devotee is as good as Narayana
not by becoming Narayana but by becoming the most confidential servant
of Narayana. Such great personalities act as spiritual masters for the bene-
fit of the people in general, and as such, a spiritual master who is preach-
ing the glorics of Narayana should be accepted as Narayana and be given
all respects due Him.
