# Three Kinds of Perfection *On the three categories of perfected devotees* --- ### Nitya-siddha, Sādhana-siddha, Kṛpa-siddha > This Prahlāda Mahārāja's position is different. He is *mahā-bhāgavata.* In many places we have seen already, he is *nitya-siddha.* There are two kinds of devotees..., three: *nitya-siddha, sādhana-siddha, kṛpa-siddha.* These things are described in *The Nectar of Devotion. Nitya-siddha* means they are eternally associate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are called *nitya-siddha.* And *sādhana-siddha* means one is fallen in this material world, but by practice of devotional service according to the rules and regulation, injunction of the *śāstra,* direction of *guru,* in this way, one can reach also the same position as the *nitya-siddha.* This is *sādhana-siddha.* And there is another. That is *kṛpa-siddha. Kṛpa-siddha* means... Just like Nityānanda Prabhu, He wanted that these Jagāi-Mādhāi must be delivered. There was no *sādhana.* They never followed any rules and regulation. They were thieves and rogues, very fallen condition. But Nityānanda Prabhu wanted to show an example that "I shall deliver these two brothers. Never mind they are so fallen." That is called *kṛpa-siddha.* So we should always remember there are three categories: *nitya-siddha, sādhana-siddha* and *kṛpa-siddha.* But when they become *siddha,* perfect, by any process, they are on the same level. There is no distinction. — [[spoken/1977/770227sb.may|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.7, Māyāpur, February 27, 1977]] --- ### Nitya-siddha Friends of Kṛṣṇa > So Prahlāda Mahārāja's position is *nitya-siddha. Gaurāṅgera saṅgi gane nitya-siddha boli māne.* [Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura. *Prārthanā.* Song 38.] Caitanya Mahāprabhu, when He came... Not only He, but others also. Just like with Kṛṣṇa so many devotees, they descended, just like Arjuna. Arjuna is *nitya-siddha, nitya-siddha* friend. When Kṛṣṇa said that "I spoke this philosophy of *Bhagavad-gītā* to the sun-god," *imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam,* Bg. 4.1, that is so many millions of years ago. To clear the matter, Arjuna inquired that "Kṛṣṇa, You are of my age. How I can believe that You spoke this philosophy so many millions of years ago?" So what Kṛṣṇa replied, you know, that "My dear Arjuna, both you and Me, we appeared many, many times. The difference is that you have forgotten. That means you were also present at that time, because you are My *nitya-siddha* friend. Whenever I appear, you also appear. But you have forgotten; I have not forgotten." That is the difference between *jīva* and *śiva,* or Lord, that we are minute part and particle of the Supreme; therefore we may forget. But Kṛṣṇa does not forget. That is the difference. So *nitya-siddha.* Prahlāda Mahārāja is to be understood as *nitya, mahā-bhāgavata, nitya-siddha.* They appear to complete the *līlā* of Kṛṣṇa. — [[spoken/1977/770227sb.may|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.7, Māyāpur, February 27, 1977]] --- ### Sādhana-bhakti Process > So this is the process. This process you cannot expect immediately, but if you practice general process, very easily done, as it is recommended in the *Bhagavad-gītā, man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru*. You cannot get the position of Prahlāda Mahārāja immediately. That is not possible. The process is, first of all, *sādhana-bhakti.* [regulative devotional service] — [[spoken/1977/770227sb.may|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.7, Māyāpur, February 27, 1977]] --- ### Follow the Mahājanas > So *mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ*. We can learn Kṛṣṇa consciousness perfectly well if we follow the *mahājanas. Mahājana* means great personality who are devotees of the Lord. They are called *mahājanas. Jana* means "person." Just like in ordinary way, in India a person is called *mahājana* who is very rich. So this *mahājana* means one who is rich in devotional service. He is called *mahājana. Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ.* So we have got Ambarīṣa Mahārāja; we have got Prahlāda Mahārāja. There are many, many kings—Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, Parīkṣit Mahārāja—they are *rājarṣi.* So Kṛṣṇa consciousness, actually, it is meant for very great personalities. — [[spoken/1977/770228sb.may|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.8, Māyāpur, February 28, 1977]] --- ### Training the Mind > So our mind is jumping. Everyone knows the nature of the mind—sometimes accepting one thing, again rejecting it. *Saṅkalpa-vikalpa.* This is the quality of the mind or nature of the mind. Sometimes the mind is jumping over *sattva-guṇa,* sometimes on the *rajo-guṇa,* sometime on the *tamo-guṇa.* In this way we are getting different types of mentality. In this way, at the time of death the mentality which is just at the moment of leaving this body will carry me to a different body of *sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa, tamo-guṇa.* This is the way of transmigration of the soul. Therefore we have to train up the mind until we get the another body. That is the art of living. So if you train up your mind simply to think of Kṛṣṇa, then you are safe. Otherwise there is chance of accidents. — [[spoken/1977/770228sb.may|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.8, Māyāpur, February 28, 1977]] --- *5 verified verbatim quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda on the three kinds of perfection*