Text 18] The History of the Life of Ajamila 29

PURPORT

One should not think that the person who takes to bhakti is one who
cannot perform the ritualistic ceremonies recommended in the karma-
kdnda section of the Vedas or is not sufficiently educated to speculate on
spiritual subjects. Mayavadis generally allege that the bhakti path is for
women and illiterates. This is a groundless accusation. The bhakti path is
followed by the most learned scholars, such as the Gosvamis, Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramanujacarya. These are the actual
followers of the bhakti path. Regardless of whether or not one is educated
or aristocratic, one must follow in their footsteps. Mahdjano yena gatah
sa panthaéh: one must follow the path of the mahdjanas. The mahdjanas
are those who have taken to the path of devotional service (susilah
sadhavo yatra ndrdyana-paréyanah), for these great personalities are
the perfect persons. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.18.12):

yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akiricanad
sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah

“One who has unflinching devotion to the Personality of Godhead has all
the good qualities of the demigods.” The less intelligent, however, mis-
understand the bhakti path and therefore allege that it is for one who
cannot execute ritualistic ceremonies or speculate. As confirmed here by
the word sadhricinah, bhakti is the path that is appropriate, not the paths
of karma-kdnda and jridna-kdnda. Mayavadis may be susilah sadhavah
(well-behaved saintly persons), but there is nevertheless some doubt
about whether they are actually making progress, for they have not ac-
cepted the path of bhakti. On the other hand, those who follow the path
of the dcdryas are susilah and sddhavah, but furthermore their path is
akuto-bhaya, which means free from fear. One should fearlessly follow
the twelve mahdjanas and their line of disciplic succession and thus be
liberated from the clutches of maya.

TEXT 18

mrafarants ntfs aRrTTTERay |
a facgater Ua TUR AAT! U8
