(1) Vairgya Renunciation

(2) Jna Knowledge

(3) Bhajana Devotional Service
(4) Vaikuha The Spiritual World

r Uttar-dev said: The three planetary systems: Bh,

Bhuvar,and Svar, are the abodes of enjoyment of
householders who engage in pious activities with a desire
to enjoy material results. Abovethese realms are the four
planetary systems: Mahar, Janas, Tapas,and Satya, which
are the abodes obtained by non-householders, namely
brahmacrs, or celibate students; vnaprasthis, or those
who have left household life for spiritual advancement;
and yatis,or renunciants.
(1) Jna-bhaktas are devotees such as r Bharata Mahrja, who
possess jna-bhakti, or devotion mixed with the pursuit of knowledge
and the inclination towards opulence. Here, the word jna,
meaning knowledge, indicates knowledge that encompasses both
the insignificance of liberation and the glories of loving devotion to
the lotus feet of r Bhagavn. The word bhakti refers to the nine
processes of devotional service to the Lord.
(2) uddha-bhaktas are pure devotees like r Ambara, who render
and aspire for devotional service to the Supreme Lord that is
untainted by desire for fruitive work, empirical knowledge, dry
renunciation, etc.
(3) Prem-bhaktas are pure devotees such as r Hanumn,
whose bhakti is endowed with prema, pure love of God. These
devotees always serve the lotus feet of their beloved Lord with their
entire being or tm, aspiring only to develop deep affection for
His lotus feet. In other words, their singular wish is to meet the
Lord and render service to Him.
(4) Prema-para-bhaktas are pure devotees like r Arjuna and the
Pavas, whose devotion towards the Lord is devoid of awe and
reverence. They are bound by the shackles of loving friendship
with the Lord, and prema is their only goal in life. r Bhagavns
unconditional mercy creates in their hearts the acme of purest
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Vairgyam: Renunciation

love, binding them in complete friendship that is suffused with

eagerness to see Him and characterized by intimate, jocular
affection for Him.
(5) Premtura-bhaktas are devotees like Uddhava and the Ydavas,
who are overwhelmed with divine love. They are always overcome
by the super-excellent wealth of prema, for that always attracts

their hearts in loving relationships with the Supreme Lord.

Entrance into Vaikuha cannot be obtained without possessing

love for Bhagavn. However, based on differences in the spiritual
moods,
or bhvas, of the devotees and according to the degree of their
love, a
hierarchy of devotees must be recognized. uddha-bhakti and
premabhakti
are essentially the same in nature, yet due to the presence of
absolute loving attachment (prema-nih) in prema-bhakti , the
prembhakta
is considered superior. Although the uddha-bhakta ultimately
reaches the stage of a prem-bhakta, it is imperative to
acknowledge
the speciality or distinctiveness of the prem-bhaktas absolute
loving
attachment that distinguishes him from the uddha-bhakta.
Similarly,
it must be recognized that prema-para-bhaktas are more
exceptional
than prem-bhaktas, and that premtura-bhaktas are more
exceptional
than prema-para-bhaktas.