Vaidhi to Rāgānugā to Rāgātmikā Bhakti

Although in our present neophyte stage we are executing devotional service according to the rules and regulations, which is known as vaidhi bhakti, it is helpful and encouraging for us to know how we will eventually attain the ultimate goal of pure devotional service if we stick sincerely to this path. This ultimate goal is described very nicely by Srila Rupa Goswami in his Bhakti-rasāmrita-sindhu text 1.2.270 as follows:

virājantīm abhivyaktāṁ
vraja-vāsi-janādiṣu
rāgātmikām anusṛtā
yā sā rāgānugocyate

"Rāgātmikā, devotional service in spontaneous love, is vividly expressed and manifested by the inhabitants of Vrindavana. Devotional service that accords with their devotional service is called rāgānugā bhakti, or devotional service following in the wake of spontaneous loving service."

At a very advanced stage after seriously and dedicatedly following the path of vaidhi bhakti a devotee gradually develops the ambition to become like a particular devotee in the spiritual world. Serving the Lord in this mood is called rāgānugā bhakti. That devotee then, while externally strictly following vaidhi bhakti, internally begins to practice rāgānugā bhakti within his heart following in the footsteps of that particular inhabitant of Vrindavan. Through the purification of this rāgānugā bhakti the devotee gradually becomes completely purified and attains the topmost perfection of rāgātmikā bhakti.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

The Gopis, Rāgātmikā Devotees in Goloka Vrindavan

The Gopis, Rāgātmikā Devotees in Goloka Vrindavan

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:

Question: How to Find a Spiritual Master?

A spiritual master is required for progress in spiritual life. He will guide us through living in this material world and going towards God. He will give direction.

How to find a spiritual master? I want to learn the spiritual lessons and obtain the knowledge through the master. But I don't know how to find one. Kindly guide. In absence of a spiritual master my mind keeps on wandering.

Geeta

Answer: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

There is no difficulty to find a spiritual master. The greatest spiritual master in this age is His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He has written many volumes of books to guide you on the path of perfection. Plus he has a created a spiritual society called ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) to engage you practically in following his teachings. Even though he has departed from this world in 1977 he has empowered his disciples to become spiritual masters to give initiation and personalized loving guidance to anyone such as yourself who is desirous of taking up the path of self-realization. Therefore you may approach me or any of my godbrothers who are gurus to enlighten you in the science of Krishna consciousness and guide you along the pathway to perfection.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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