Kṛtajña — The One Who Knows What Has Been Given
Kṛtajña (Sanskrit: kṛta = done/given + jña = one who knows; 'one who knows what has been done/given') describes the person who recognises, acknowledges, and lives within a genuine sense of gratitude for all that Bhagavān, the Āchārya, and the sādhu-saṅgha have given.
Its Opposite — Kṛtaghna: Kṛtaghna (Sanskrit: kṛta = done/given + ghna = destroyer; 'one who destroys what has been given') is the ungrateful one — who receives grace but does not recognise it, or worse, actively turns away from those who gave it. The Āchāryas describe kṛtaghnatā (ingratitude) as one of the gravest spiritual failures.
Kṛtajñatā Toward Bhagavān: Being kṛtajña toward Bhagavān means recognising that everything — body, soul, breath, intelligence, the opportunity for bhakti, the grace of prapatti — is Bhagavān's gift. 'The kṛtajña sees not their own achievements but Bhagavān's continuous pouring out of grace through everything that appears to be their own effort.'
Kṛtajñatā Toward the Āchārya: Pillai Lokāchārya's teaching emphasises that the disciple's primary quality must be kṛtajñatā — acknowledging that the Āchārya's kṛpā was what made liberation possible. This is why the daily smaraṇam (remembrance) of the Āchārya's words and grace is considered a sacred duty.
Kṛtajñatā in the Community: Śrī Vaiṣṇava conduct requires kṛtajñatā toward pūrvāchāryas (previous Āchāryas) through preserving their teachings, toward the sādhu-saṅgha through service, and toward the Āḷvārs through regular pāṭha (recitation) of the Divya Prabandham.