Jagat

This is a long a fairly complex but interesting  anuccheda . It concludes the analysis of the five verse section in BhP 11.11.29-33 which began with Anuccheda 199.  Sri Jiva continues to analyze the devotee who are glorified in the Bhagavatam as relatively superior to others. This is done not to create a sense of superiority in those who accept his doctrine, but to establish the nature and goal of pure, unmixed devotion. Today's verse uses the superlative form of devotee, bhaktatama , whereas the previous verses used sattama . This discussion thus leads up to 202 which is about taking a guru, which is the logical end of establishing what kind of devotee is qualified to be a guru. It goes without saying that everyone is to be encouraged to follow their path with detachment as the Gita says. But when a s ā dhaka arrives at the cusp of two levels, he will be afflicted by doubt and unresolved questions. At that time, the guru should give guidance according to the teachi...