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Differences Between Raganuga Bhakti and Vaidhi Bhakti: - An - Examination PDF
Differences Between Raganuga Bhakti and Vaidhi Bhakti: - An - Examination PDF
In my opinion, one can only take up the path of Raganuga if one has at least attained
Nisthita Bhakti. HH Suhotra Swami says that one develops Raganuga at the stage of
asakti, but HH Bhanu Swami's opinion is "there is no specific stage at which to start,
since the greed may arise at
anytime (usually due to past life's progress). However, if it does not arise then one must
practice vaidhi. To practice raganuga a person would have to be free of contamination
relatively. However, sadhana bhakti of any form indicates the person is not 100% pure.
Even bhava after sadhana is not completely pure."
Prabhupada says that one should be free from material contamination. But Srila
Vishwanatha says in Madhurya Kadambini "Since all of the impurities are completely
removed (etair anaviddham) only at the stage of Bhava, the slight presence of anarthas
does not act as an obstacle during Nisthita Bhakti". So Prabhupada's statement can be
understood to mean Nisthita Bhakti or above).
Nisthita Bhakti means, one person is steady (without fluctuation) in his devotional
activities and his mind is unaffected by lust, greed, anger, hatred, and illusion that arise
from rajas and tamas (note: all the impurities are completely removed only in bhava
stage and so, here we mean that the mentioned impurities may slightly be present but
they don't act as an obstacle anymore). Generally, the spiritual desire is more than
material desire for a devotee in Nisthita Bhakti (definitely more than 50%).
Unless, one has attained the qualifications of Raganuga Bhakti, one has to follow Vaidhi
bhakti.
Vishwanatha Chakravarthy Thakura: Greed can arise after taking shelter from
Guru or from previous lifetime activities.
Ref: BRS 1.2.309, NOD Chapter 16 (Conjugal love), Raga vartma candrika
(Chapter 1)
What angas of Bhakti can one follow in Raganuga Bhakti? (64 major angas of
Bhakti are given by Rupa Goswami in BRS)
For Raganuga Bhaktas: Whichever angas of Vaidhi-Bhakti that are favorable for
one's particular raganuga cultivation. Angas such as hearing, chanting, surrendering to
Guru, are favorable. One should "not" take activities that are contrary to one's own
sentiments for Krsna. Worshipping Rukmini, meditation on Dvaraka, performing mudras
and nyasas, ahangrahopasana (thinking "I'm Krsna") should be rejected.
If a person, who desires to taste the sweetness of Radha and Krsna, but
worships according to vaidhi bhakti, using mudras and nyasas, will attain a position in
Aishwarya Goloka (this is neither Radha and Krsna in "proper" Vrndavana nor Krsna in
Dvaraka with Rukmini)