Levels of Devotion
February 3, 2011 Comments Off
In Chapter 2 verses 44 to 47 of Srimad Bhagwat Purana the devotees have been classified as advanced, intermediate and beginner as follows:
Maharaja Nimi requested Sage Havir to tell him about the devotees of the Supreme
Lord. He wanted to know the natural symptoms by which he could
distinguish between the most advanced devotees, those on the middle
level and those who were beginners.
Sri Havir described the three types of devotees as follows:
The most advanced devotee sees within everything the soul of all souls, the Supreme Lord, the ONE
LIGHT. Consequently he sees everything in relation to the Supreme Lord
and understands that everything that exists is eternally situated within
the Lord.
An intermediate devotee is called madhyama-adhikari. He can’t yet see the same light shining in every creation. He offers his
love to the Supreme Lord, is a sincere friend to all the devotees of
the Lord, shows mercy to ignorant people who are innocent and disregards
those who are envious of the Supreme Lord.
A devotee who faithfully engages in the worship and practices but does not behave
properly toward other devotees or people in general is called a
prakrta-bhakta, a materialistic devotee, and is considered to be in the
lowest position.
Srimad Bhagwatam 11 th Skanda, Chapter 2 verses 44-47
Hinduism
