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The objection that only a knower of Brahman can be in such a state is untenable since the melted condition of the mind is not required in the case of a knower of Brahman. Hence is it not possible to classify a knower of Brahman among devotees either of the advanced, intermediate, or beginning levels. When there is the condition of seeing "the Self in the form of the Blessed Lord in all creatures" [11.2.45] at the culmination of the melted state, the devotee is said to be at the advanced level. But when there is the slightly melted state and a semblance of a permanent impression, it is said: He who shows love toward the Lord, friendship toward those who have surrendered to Him, compassion toward the ignorant, and indifference toward the hostile is an intermediate. 11.2.46 The implication is that, for one who is in such a condition, the subsequent arising of the melted state is imminent. In regard to him in whose mind the melted state has not reached perfection or even slightly arisen, but who himself faithfully practices the disciplines of the Lord's devotees for the sake of attaining that, and who has the capacity 142 to destroy the hardness of his mind, it is said: He who strives faithfully to offer worship to Hari in His image only and does not worship Him in His devotees or in others, is known as a beginner. 11.2.47

The word "beginner"143 is used here to mean one who is in the beginning stage, 144 that is, one whose practice of the means to devotion has just started. 266 love,