Verse Text
tatra uttamaḥ—
śāstre yuktau ca nipuṇaḥ sarvathā dṛḍha-niścayaḥ |
prauḍha-śraddho ’dhikārī yaḥ sa bhaktāv uttamo mataḥ ||17||
Translation
The uttamādhikārī is defined as follows: The person who is skillful in scripture and logic, completely firm in his belief, with deep faith, is considered qualified as uttama in vaidhi-bhakti.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
Previously, in defining vaidhi-bhakti, it was said that vaidhi-bhakti existed where the actions were inspired by the teachings of scripture. Thus, it may be concluded that the root cause of a person’s bhakti is faith in the content of scriptures. Conviction in the contents of the scriptures is called śraddhā or faith. According to the degree of faith in the scriptures, there will be classifications of persons possessing that faith. That is now the topic of discussion for two verses (the second verse has been divided into two verses, 18 and 19). Śāstre yuktau nipunaḥ means “conversant with scripture and logic.” This person developed firm conviction (dṛdḥa-niścayaḥ) through studying thoroughly the principles of philosophy (tattva), the sādhana, and the goal (puruṣārtha). That is the meaning of sarvathā (in all ways). Logic (yukte) should here be understood as logic following the statements of scripture, because independent logic is condemned in verse 1.1.45: one cannot understand bhakti by dry logic (yuktis tu kevalā naiva). This is also understood from the Vedānta-sūtras 2.1.27: śrutes tu śabda-mūlatvāt: the Lord can be understood only through the scriptures.
pūrvāparānurodhena ko nv artho ’bhimato bhavet |
ity ādyam ūhanaṁ tarkaḥ śuṣka-tarkaṁ tu varjayet ||
A meaning should be accepted with reference to what precedes and follows. Such reasoning is the logic to be used. Dry logic should be rejected. Vaiṣṇava Tantra
A person who is qualified as above, and has deep faith, is the uttamādhikārī.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
The devotee in the first or uppermost class is described as follows. He is very expert in the study of relevant scriptures, and he is also expert in putting forward arguments in terms of those scriptures. He can very nicely present conclusions with perfect discretion and can consider the ways of devotional service in a decisive way. He understands perfectly that the ultimate goal of life is to attain to the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa, and he knows that Kṛṣṇa is the only object of worship and love. This first-class devotee is one who has strictly followed the rules and regulations under the training of a bona fide spiritual master and has sincerely obeyed him in accord with revealed scriptures. Thus, being fully trained to preach and become a spiritual master himself, he is considered first class. The first-class devotee never deviates from the principles of higher authority, and he attains firm faith in the scriptures by understanding with all reason and arguments. When we speak of arguments and reason, it means arguments and reason on the basis of revealed scriptures. The first-class devotee is not interested in dry speculative methods meant for wasting time. In other words, one who has attained a mature determination in the matter of devotional service can be accepted as the first-class devotee.