The Nectar of Instruction

remembering l(r�Qa's name, fame, pastimes and qualities under the direction and protection of an expert devotee. This is the sum and substance of all instruction regarding the cultivation of devotional serivce.

''In the neophyte stage one should always engage in hearing kr$r:ta-kathii. This is called sravar:ta-daSa, the stage of hearing. By constantly hearing the transcendental holy name of l(r�l)a and hearing of His transcendental form, qualities and pastimes, one can attain to the stage of acceptance called varar:ta-daSii. When one attains this stage, he becomes attached to the hearing of kr$r:ta-kathii. When one is able to chant i.n ecstasy, he attains the stage of smara1J,iivastha, the stage of remembering. Recollection, absorption, meditation, constant remembrance and trance are the five items of progressive kr$r:ta-smara7J.a. At first, remembrance of l(r�l)a may be interrupted at intervals, but later remembrance proceeds uninterrupted. When remembrance is uninterrupted, it becomes concentrated and is called meditation. When meditation expands and becomes constant, it is called anusmrti. By uninterrupted and unceasing anus1'Jlrti one enters the stage of samadhi, or spiritual trance. Mter smarar:ta-da8a or samadhi has fully developed, the soul comes to understand his original constitutional position. At that time he can perfectly and clearly understand his eternal relationship with l(r�l)a. That is called sampatti-da§a, the perfection of life.

"Caitanya-caritamrta advises those who are neophytes to give up all kinds of motivated desires and simply engage in the regulative devotional service of the Lord according to the directions of scripture. In this way a neophyte can gradually develop attachment for Kr�I).a's name, fame, form, qualities and so forth. When one has developed such attachment, he can spontaneously serve the lotus feet of l<r�t:�a even without following the regulative principles. This stage is called raga· bhakti, or devotional service in spontaneous love. At that stage the devotee can follow in the footsteps of one of the eternal associates of Kr�I).a in V:rndavana. This is called raganuga-bhakti. Raganuga-bhakti, or spontaneous devo· tional service, can be executed in the santa-rasa when one aspires to be like Kr�t:�a's cows or the stick or flute in the hand of K:r�I).a, or the flowers around Kr�t:�a.'s neck. In the dii.sya-rasa one follows in the footsteps of servants like Citraka, Patraka or Raktaka. In the friendly sakhya-rasa one can become a friend like Baladeva, Sridama or Sudama. In the vatsalya-rasa, characterized by parental affection, one can become like Nanda Maltaraja and Yasoda, and in the miidhurya-rasa, characterized by conjugal love, one can become like Srimati RadharaQI or Her lady friends such as Lalita and Her serving maids (mafijaris) like Rupa and Rati. This is the essence of all instruction in the matter of devotional service."