Kanistha

Innocence

Kanistha Adikari

by Daruka dasa

Recently while reading Srimad Bhagavatam I read a purport that I found to be very interesting. (S.B. 11.2.47.)

"Another symptom of the kanistha-adhikari is that he is infatuated by the material qualifications of so-called great materialistic persons. Having a bodily concept of life himself, he is attracted by material opulence and thus minimizes the position of the Supreme Lord, Visnu. Such a kanistha-adhikari, therefore, is disturbed if a second-class devotee criticizes the non devotees of the Lord. In the name of compassion or kindness, a kanistha-adhikari approves of the non-devotional activities of such materialistic men. Because the kanistha-adhikari is ignorant of the higher realms of devotional service and the unlimited transcendental bliss of Krsna consciousness, he sees devotional service merely as the religious aspect of life but thinks that life has many enjoyable and worthwhile non-devotional aspects. Therefore he becomes angry when second-class devotees, who are experiencing that Krsna is everything, criticize the non-devotees. Madhvacarya says that such a person, because of his rudimentary faith in Krsna, is considered a devotee, but he is bhaktadhama, a devotee on the lowest standard. If such materialistic devotees follow the rules and regulations of Deity worship, they will gradually be elevated to a higher standard and eventually become pure devotees of the Lord, unless they commit offenses against other devotees, in which case their advancement will be checked."

There were a number of things that struck me when I read the above. But before I tell you what they were, I want to make it clear that I do not consider myself anything other than a kanistha. And nor am I inferring, by anything I say, that I consider certain other devotees to be kanisthas in a general sense, but rather there is a possibility that some of our acceptance of non-devotees' thoughts are on the level of a kanistha adhikari and therefore we have to be extremely careful what we accept from them in the name of devotional service. Sometimes I notice as a result of my being infatuated by the material qualifications of materialistic persons, I find myself wanting to impress them in various ways so I myself can receive some recognition and also be accepted. One way I might do this is by letting them know that I come from a "respectable middle class area", or that I went to a "good school". I spent most of my life before becoming a devotee rebelling against these things, but because people place importance on these things it can be hard to resist the opportunity to bump myself up. But in reality even a lot of non-devotees see this type of mentality as shallow, even if they are on the bodily platform. Another thing that struck me while reading the above was the amount of attention and importance some devotees seem to give to different karmi psychologists and feel good "gurus"etc. In my opinion this can and very often does lead to a minimization of the Lord, His pure devotee Srila Prabhupada and other devotees, although not intentionally, in the beginning at any rate. And when this is pointed out or any criticism is levied towards us or our "thing" we become angry and or offended. Of course I'm not saying that as devotees we can't take material knowledge from non-devotees. The question is, do we become infatuated by their material qualifications? Another area where it seems devotees sometimes become enamored is in non-devotee education or with the academics themselves. Srila Prabhupada was expert at engaging them in Krsna's service. He understood that the general public have a lot of respect for them. So he engaged them to write favourable reviews for his books. But beyond that he was very clear and strong in relation to their being lost conditioned souls.

So in conclusion. I want to understand these points for myself and try to be objective in my observations of others, and gradually move towards the madhyama platform.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare