There are three kinds of devotees: kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, madhyama-adhikārī and mahā-bhāgavata, bhāgavata, or those who are in the lower status, those who are in the middle status and those who are in the highest status. Those who are in the lower status are beginners, devotees. For them, the description is that:
- arcāyām eva haraye
- yaḥ pūjām śraddhayehate
- na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu
- sa bhaktaḥ prākṛtaḥ smṛtaḥ
- (SB 11.2.47)
"In the lower stage, a devotee goes to the temple or to the church or to the mosque, with great devotion and faith offers prayers to the Lord, but he has no knowledge about other devotees," na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu, "and he does not know the duty to others."
A devotee should not be satisfied simply by elevating himself in spiritual advancement. He has got other duties also. What is that other duties? That those who are innocent, those who are not interested . . . everyone is interested, but there are persons who have forgotten his relationship with God. Therefore it is the duty of the devotee to enlighten others. That is required.
Just like Lord Jesus Christ, he also preached the sense of God, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is the duty of devotee. It is the duty of good son of God, but the . . . those who are in the lower status, they have not developed such consciousness that, "I have to preach the philosophy of God consciousness or Kṛṣṇa consciousness to others." They are simply satisfied themself. They go to the church or mosque or temple, offer their prayers in devotion. That's all. So the next stage is one who is advanced spiritualist, he has got four visions.
- īśvare tad-adhīneṣu
- bāliśeṣu dviṣatsu ca
- prema-maitrī-kṛpopekṣā
- yaḥ karoti sa madhyamaḥ
- (SB 11.2.46)
"A person who knows what is God, and knows also who is a devotee, and knows also who is innocent, and knows also who is atheist . . ." there are four kinds of people. So atheist, innocent, devotee and, er, yes, three classes, and God. God, God's devotee. One, God; second, God's devotee; third, innocent persons; and fourth, atheist.
So a person who has elevated himself to the second stage of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he has got four kinds of dealings. First thing is, because he knows God, therefore he loves God, prema. His only lovable object is God, or Kṛṣṇa. And the second is the . . . he makes friendship with the devotees of God. First thing is, because he loves God, therefore he makes friendship with the devotees of God. But God is the center. If you love God, then you can love others also very perfectly.