Answer
Kardama Muni's direct vision of the Lord was not due to his own spiritual advancement alone. It was primarily the Lord's causeless mercy. The Lord decided to remove the curtain covering Kardama's vision and personally revealed Himself.
This principle also applies to other great devotees, such as Dhruva Maharaja and Narada Muni in their early lives. Their extraordinary experiences were manifestations of the Lord's mercy rather than the result of complete spiritual perfection.
Similarly, in our own lives we may sometimes experience powerful moments where Krishna touches our heart. These experiences are genuine, but we should not assume they are identical to Kardama Muni's direct audience with the Lord.
Sometimes while chanting, reading Srila Prabhupada's books, or engaging in devotional service, we experience a deep spiritual effect. It may be an experience of sat, cit, or ananda, even if we cannot properly identify or explain it.
Just as a person can taste sugar without understanding its chemical composition, we may experience Krishna's spiritual influence without being able to define it intellectually. Such experiences leave a lasting impression on our consciousness and awaken spiritual life.
A statement from Srila Prabhupada's books may strike our heart like a sharp arrow, awakening our dormant spiritual consciousness. Such awakenings are also expressions of the Lord's mercy.
However, we should not make a philosophy out of occasional spiritual experiences. Not every round of japa or every mantra produces the same extraordinary realization. Every sincere chant is nevertheless a touch of the Lord's spiritual energy because while chanting the holy name we are existentially touching the Lord Himself.
