Become an advanced devotee

Expressions researched:
"become an advanced devotee"

CC Madhya-lila

The neophyte can become an advanced devotee if he strictly follows the regulative principles set down by the spiritual master.

CC Madhya 15.106, Purport: When Lord Caitanya was teaching Sanātana Gosvāmī, He said:

śraddhāvān jana haya bhakti-adhikārī

‘uttama’, ‘madhyama’, ‘kaniṣṭha’—śraddhā-anusārī

yāhāra komala-śraddhā, se ‘kaniṣṭha’ jana

krame krame teṅho bhakta ha-ibe ‘uttama’

rati-prema-tāratamye bhakta-taratama

“A person who has attained firm faith is a real candidate for advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. According to the faith, there are first-class, second-class and neophyte devotees. One who has preliminary faith is called a kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, or a neophyte. The neophyte, however, can become an advanced devotee if he strictly follows the regulative principles set down by the spiritual master. Therefore it is on the basis of faith and attachment to Kṛṣṇa that one can judge who is a madhyama-adhikārī or an uttama-adhikārī.” (Cc. Madhya 22.64, 69, 71)

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Jñānī means he wants to know actually what is God. Then his enquiry is advancing.

Morning Walk -- July 21, 1975, San Francisco:

Bahulāśva: So Prabhupāda, you said belief is enough?

Prabhupāda: Yes, for the noneducated rascal, belief is the... That is required, blind belief. That is good.

Bahulāśva: Blind faith.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Bahulāśva: But to become an advanced devotee, do you have to have knowledge?

Prabhupāda: Therefore it is said, catur-vidhā bhajante mām...

Jayādvaita: Janāḥ sukṛtino 'rjuna.

Prabhupāda: Sukṛtinaḥ arjuna. Jñānī... What is called?

Devotee (5): Ārto jijñāsur...

Prabhupāda: Ah. No, this first word, distress, ārtaḥ, ārtaḥ. Artaḥ, arthārthī, jñānī and jijñāsuḥ. So some innocent man, when he is distressed, he has belief in God. So he approaches God, "God, I am distressed. Kindly help me." He is simply on faith. That is good. And jñānī means he wants to know actually what is God. Then his enquiry is advancing.