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Are celibate saints greater than the Gopikas and equal to Radha?

[Ms. Thrylokya asked:- Swami, Radha is greater than the Gopikas. Similarly, the celibate saints (male and female) are greater than the Gopikas and become equal to Radha. Please correct me.]

Swami replied:- There is no need of correcting you because they are equal to Radha. But, remember that if they have 100% concentration on God throughout their life like Radha, then only they are equal to Radha. Generally, in this kali age, devotees becoming saints enter into sinful life since the initial concentration on God is diverted into unjust life in course of time. They leave Pravrutti (justified worldly life) for the sake of Nivrutti (spiritual life), but finally enter into Dushpravrutti (sinful worldly life). Instead of sinful worldly life, justified worldly life is recommended. We are not forcing a person present in justified worldly life to enter into spiritual life. We are also not encouraging a person in spiritual life to come back to justified worldly life. Everything is based on the mental setup of the devotee that is acquired through past several births.

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