Question: What is the way by which a practicing devotee can understand how close to or how far he is away from anartha -nivṛtti? How can one expedite his progress to anartha -nivṛtti? Are these stages distinct, or can there be some overlapping, i.e. can niṣṭhā start only after 100% completion of anartha-nivṛtti or can it start, say when anartha-nivṛtti has been 90% achieved?

Jayapataka Swami: There may be a small amount of anartha, in the higher stages. To a large extent, the anarthas are overcome. Anarthas like, one moment we feel very enthusiastic, then next moment we feel down, depressed, not so much enthusiasm. That is called thick and thin – of one of the anarthas. So that when one reaches the stage of niṣṭhā, this variation would be very small and the person will be much more fixed up. I hope that it answers your question.
30-July-2020 SRIDHAM MAYAPUR, INDIA