We should understand tattvataḥ. That tattvataḥ means, bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ (BG 18.55). Again tattvataḥ. Only through devotional service.
So devotional . . . what is devotional service? Śravanaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇam pāda-seva . . . (SB 7.5.23). We have to follow these nine principles of devotional service, especially this śravanam, kīrtanam and arcanam. Arcanam, worshiping the Deity, and śravanaṁ kīrtanam. Even if you follow one, that is sufficient, but there are nine different processes. As far as possible we shall execute everything, and at least śravanaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇam pāda-sevanam, arcanam. Arcana is very important. For kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, devotee in the lower stage, arcana is very, very important. Although the devotee in the higher stage, he also offers worship, but Kṛṣṇa is everywhere. But for a neophyte devotee . . . just like some people say that, "Why you should go to the temple? Kṛṣṇa is everywhere." Who was asking that question? "Kṛṣṇa cannot be served . . ." Here, last night. I think those girls, svarṇa girls. Kṛṣṇa is everywhere, that is a fact, but that is for the paramhaṁsa, one who is very, very advanced. For the kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, he cannot . . . he, like parrot, he can say, "Kṛṣṇa is everywhere." He must be educated, "Here is Kṛṣṇa in the temple." Otherwise it is simply blaspheme that, "Kṛṣṇa is everywhere." That's a fact, but where is your realization? Kṛṣṇa is within your heart. Have you got that realization? Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati (BG 18.61). Have you got that realization, that Kṛṣṇa is within your heart? Can you talk with Kṛṣṇa? He says, Kṛṣṇa says: "I talk." Buddhi yogaṁ-dadāmi tam (BG 10.10). Kṛṣṇa gives intelligence. Kṛṣṇa is giving, but have you got that realization?
So these are all facts, that Kṛṣṇa is everywhere, Kṛṣṇa is within your heart, Kṛṣṇa is within the atom. Aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-sthaṁ (Bs. 5.35), that's a fact, but where is your realization? Therefore you have to begin realization by arcana. That is very essential. The more you become expert in arcana, ye yathā mām prapadyante (BG 4.11), then the more you become realized, then more you become advanced. So therefore, for kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, he has to raise himself.
- arcāyām eva haraye
- yaḥ pūjāṁ śraddhayehate
- na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu
- sa bhaktaḥ prākṛtaḥ smṛtaḥ
- (SB 11.2.47)
By executing this arca-vigraha, arcanam, gradually you advance. But if you simply remain in the arcana-viddhi or arcana process, and you cannot understand who is a bhakta and what to do with others . . . that is also a bhakta's duty, not that simply we shall remain engaged in arcana. We must know how to respect devotee, how to do some service to others also. That is madhyama-adhikārī. Simply if you become satisfied that, "Now I am initiated and I am offering arcana. I have become perfect," no, the perfection is still awaiting. You have to understand who is a devotee. You have to understand how to give service to the innocent. If you do not know that, then if you simply become packed up by arcā-vigraha-seva, arcana, then you will remain in the material platform.
Na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu sa bhaktaḥ prakṛtaḥ smṛtaḥ. Prakṛtaḥ means material. He is trying to go to the spiritual platform, but if he simply remains in the arcana and does not preach, this is na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu. Anyeṣu. Anyeṣu means those who are innocent. That is madhyama-adhikārī, middle stage.