3.

Explain, in your own words, each of the six characteristics of pure

devotional service and at what stages they manifest. Give appropriate
reference to to Chapter 1 of Nectar of Devotion. (Understanding)

Answer

The six characteristics of pure devotional service are:

1) klesaghni: Pure devotional service gives immediate relief from all kinds of
material distress.
2) subhada: Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness.
3) moksa – laghutakrt: Pure devotional service deride the conception of
liberation.
4) sudurlabha: Pure devotional service is rarely achieved.
5) sandrananda visesatma: Pure devotional service automatically puts one in
transcendental pleasure.
6) sri krsnakarsini: Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Kṛṣṇa.

1) Klesaghni: Gives immediate relief from all distress.

The first characteristic of pure devotional service, Klesaghni, manifests at the stage
of nistha, steadiness. Klesaghni means getting relief from all sufferings. We suffer
because of the sins we committed in this life or in previous life.

Our sufferings have three causes:

1) Papam: We suffer because of our sins.
2) Bijam: We suffer because of our material desires. This is the secondary cause of
our suffering.
3) Avidya: Our material desires are because of our ignorance. We fail to
understand that we are in reality spiritual beings, and our eternal identity is that
we are eternal servants of Krishna. Ignorance is the root cause of our suffering.

Padma Purana explains that sinful activities causes four kinds of sinful reactions:
Four kinds of sinful reactions are:
1. aprarabdha: The effect which is not yet fructified
2. kutam: The effect which is lying as seed
3. prarabdha: The effect which is already mature
4. karma bijam: The effect which is almost mature

As of now we are suffering because of our prarabdha karma and in future we will
suffer because of aprarabdha karma. However, we can get relief from all distress if
we take shelter of Krishna. Devotion to Krishna is so powerful that it burns all our
sinful reactions. In Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna says to Uddhava, “My dear
Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire, which can burn
into ashes unlimited fuel supplied to it.” SB 11.14.19.

So, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, is assuring that he will
completely destroy all our aprarabdha karma, the unmanifest sinful reaction for
which we had to suffer in future. He also completely destroys our present sins for
which we are currently suffering.
Ignorance is the root cause of our suffering

It is said that ignorance is the root cause of all our suffering. It is because of
ignorance we get entangled in this material world and get materially contaminated.
Material contamination leads to material desire and to satisfy our material
desires we indulge in sinful activity which brings unlimited suffering in our life.

There are different rituals given in the Vedic scriptures to counteract our suffering.
However, it has been observed that a Vedic ritual may sometime give relief from
sinful reaction but it does not destroy sinful proclivity. And because of sinful proclivity
a person again commits sin for which he has to again suffer. However pure
devotional service not just give relief from all distress but it completely purifies our
heart of all material contamination, it totally destroys all our material desires and
all our sinful proclivity. So, a sincere devotee of Krishna never again commits
sins and so he never suffers again.

2) subhada: Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness.

The second characteristic of pure devotional service, subhada, manifests at the
stage of nistha, steadiness. Pure devotional service is all auspicious because it
1. Benefits everyone
2. Attracts everyone
3. Produce good qualities
4. Bestow superior happiness

1. &2 Benefits and Attracts Everyone

Padma Puraṇa glorifies pure devotional service, “A person who is engaged in
devotional service in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness is to be understood to be doing the
best service to the whole world and to be pleasing everyone in the world. In
addition to human society, he is pleasing even the trees and animals, because they
also become attracted by such a movement.”

Lord Chaitanya practically showed that pure devotional service not just attract
human beings, but it also attracts animals and trees. When Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu was passing through the forest of Jharikhanda then all the animals
including tiger, elephant, deer began dancing and singing the Hare Krishna
Mahamantra. We see that when Srila Prabhupada began worldwide preaching then
many people who had earlier not even heard the name of Krishna became
attracted to Krishna and became sincere devotees of Krishna.

3. Produce good qualities

Scriptures say that those who practice pure devotional service develop saintly
qualities and it can be practically seen also. There were many hippies who were drug
addict, animal flesh eater, would indulge in illicit sex and other abominable activities
but once they began practicing devotion to Krishna they were able to give up
all their sinful habits. They became sincere and serious devotees of Krishna.
Many even became sannyasis and began preaching the message of Krishna all over
the world.

In our life also we can see that once we have started practicing devotion to Krishna,
we have been able to give up many bad habits. We see in this world that there are
many highly materially educated people but they are addicted to sinful habits like
intoxication and meat eating. But a devotee of Krishna may not be materially well
educated but by practicing devotion to Krishna they become so pure that they
are easily able to give up all the bad habits and is able to lead a happy life. In
Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.12 Sukhadeva Goswami says to King Parikshit that those
who have unflinching faith in Krishna and are without any duplicity develop all the
good qualities of demigods.

4. Superior Happiness
Srila Rupa Goswami explains in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu that there are three
sources of happiness:
1. Happiness from material enjoyment i.e. through sense gratification
2. One derives happiness by identifying oneself with the Supreme Brahman
i.e. by Brahman realization.
3. Happiness derived from engaging in pure devotional service to Krishna.
4. Out of these three, happiness derived by practicing Krishna
Consciousness is the topmost. There are two reasons for this
a. Happiness achieved by pure devotional service is eternal whereas
happiness derived from other process is temporary and flickering.
b. Also, happiness which we experience by engaging in pure devotional
service to Krishna includes the happiness derived from other
sources and also excels it.

We practically see that there are Mayavadi (impersonalist) sannyasis who are highly
educated and very much realized souls but indulge in political or social welfare
activities. It is because the happiness which they get by identifying themselves with
Supreme Brahman does not satiate their heart, so they look for some material
means to find happiness. There are mystic yogis who attain siddhis but they too
cannot experience supreme enjoyment. The highest enjoyment is only in Krishna
Consciousness.

Two Examples
So, we see that devotees of Krishna maybe material impoverished but they
experience so much pleasure in Krishna Consciousness that the want nothing but
Krishna. Kholaveca Sridhara was extremely poor, he had almost no material
possession, but he would always joyful chant the names of Krishna. When Lord
Chaitanya wanted to give him material opulence, he refused, because the
happiness which he derived by chanting the names of Krishna was so great
that nothing could have replaced it.

Prahlada Maharaja, a great devotee of the Lord, offers prayer to Lord

Narasimhadeva, “My dear Lord, I repeatedly pray unto Your lotus feet that I may
simply be stronger in devotional service. I simply pray that my Kṛṣṇa consciousness
may be more strong and steady, because happiness derived out of Kṛṣṇa
consciousness and devotional service is so powerful that with it one can have
all the other perfections of religiousness, economic development, sense
gratification and even the attainment of liberation from material existence.”
Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya
3) moksa – laghutakrt: Pure devotional service derides the conception of
liberation
At the stage of bhava, the third characteristics of pure devotional service manifests –
moksa – laghutakrt. Explaining how pure devotional service is superior to liberation,
Srila Prabhupada explains, “Srila Rupa Gosvami says that if brahmananda, or the
happiness of becoming one with the Supreme, is multiplied one trillionfold, it still
cannot compare to an atomic fraction of the happiness derived from the ocean of
devotional service.”

This is the reason that devotees of Krishna do not want anything from Krishna not
even liberation. It is because the joy they experience in practicing devotion to
Krishna is unlimited which cannot be expressed in words.

4) sudurlabha: pure devotional service is rarely achieved

The fourth characteristics of pure devotional service – sudurlabha – manifests at the
stage of bhava. One cannot attain pure devotional service by one’s own effort and
also Krishna is reluctant to give it. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
can easily give material happiness and he can even give liberation. But he does not
easily give pure devotional service. It is because pure devotional service is so
potent that Krishna himself gets purchased by it. We see in Vrindavan that
Krishna becomes a puppet of brajvasis.

Sometimes mother Yashoda punishes Krishna, sometimes Krishna carries the

shoes of Nanda Maharaj on his head. And sometimes the gopis ask Krishna to
dance and the Supreme Lord starts dancing. Similarly, Krishna becomes the
messenger of Pandavas and charioteer of Arjuna. We see that Krishna, the
Supreme Lord, becomes subservient to his devotees. Since pure devotional
service has the power to conquer and control the Supreme Lord, so Krishna is very
reluctant to give pure devotional service. However, Krishna can bestow his mercy
upon a sincere devotee and give him pure devotional service. Also, by the mercy of
a pure devotee one can also achieve pure devotional service.

5) sandrananda visesatma: Pure devotional service automatically puts one in

transcendental pleasure.
The fifth characteristics of pure devotional service – sandrananda-visesatma –
manifests at the stage of prema. It is explained that metal is so dense that nothing
can penetrate it. Similarly pure devotional service is highly concentrated and
dense and so no other thoughts and perception penetrates in the mind of a
devotee. So, in pure devotional service, a devotee experiences condensed bliss.

6) sri krsnakarsini: Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Kṛṣṇa.
The sixth characteristics of pure devotional service – sri krsnakarsini – manifests at
the stage of prema. Krishna attracts everyone but pure devotional service even
attracts Krishna. Srimati Radharani is the highest symbol of pure devotional
service. Krishna is called Madana-mohana because he attracts thousands of cupids,
but Radharani is so attractive that she even attracts Krishna. By her devotion, she
controls Krishna. So, Radharani is called, Madana-mohana-mohini.

Devotional service is directly under the control of Srimati Radharani. So, if we

have to practice pure devotion then we should follow the footsteps of Srimati
Radharani. The residents of Vrindavan and all the pure devotees of Krishna always
serve Krishna under the guidance of Srimati Radharani.

Lord Krishna himself confirms that he gets attracted by pure devotional service, “My
dear Uddhava, you may know it from Me that the attraction I feel for devotional
service rendered by My devotees is not to be attained even by the performance
of mystic yoga, philosophical speculation, ritualistic sacrifices, the study
of Vedānta, the practice of severe austerities or the giving of everything in charity.
These are, of course, very nice activities, but they are not as attractive to Me as the
transcendental loving service rendered by My devotees.” SB 11.14.20.

Three categories of devotional service

Srila Rupa Goswami says that there are three categories of pure devotional
service – sadhana bhakti, bhava bhakti and prema bhakti. In each of these
categories, two characteristics of pure devotional service manifests as described
below:
1. Sadhana bhakti
 klesaghni: Relief from all kinds of material distress.
 subhada: All auspiciousness.
2. Bhava bhakti (the previous two plus the following)
 moksa – laghutakrt: Happiness deriding conception of liberation.
 sudurlabha: Rarely achieved.
3. Prema bhakti (the previous four plus the following)
 sandrananda visesatma: Incalculable transcendental pleasure.
 sri krsnakarsini: Attracting Lord Krishna.
4. Explain, in your own words, the process of sadhana-bhakti with reference to
Chapter 2 of Nectar of Devotion. In your answer explain the distinction
between vaidhi and raganugasadhana-bhakti. Give reference to appropriate
analogies and and relevant comments from Chapter 2 of Nectar of Devotion.
(Understanding)

Answer

Sadhana-bhakti, as explained in Chapter 2 of "Nectar of Devotion" by Srila Rupa

Goswami, refers to the practice of devotional service that leads to the development
of love for God. It is the means by which one can cultivate a deep and intimate
relationship with the Supreme Lord.

The process of sadhana-bhakti can be approached in two distinct ways:

1. vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti and
2. raganuga-sadhana-bhakti.

1. Vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti
Vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti is the practice of devotional service based on regulative
principles. It involves following the rules and regulations set forth in the scriptures
and the instructions of spiritual authorities. The emphasis is on discipline, adherence
to rituals, and the cultivation of a sense of duty towards the Lord. It is compared to
the practice of a person bound by law or duty, performing their prescribed duties
without personal inclination.

Analogously, vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti is likened to a person following a recipe in

cooking. The cook follows a set of instructions, measures the ingredients precisely,
and follows a step-by-step process. Similarly, in vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti, one follows
the regulations, performs the prescribed devotional activities, and engages in service
to the Lord according to the scriptural guidelines.

2. Raganuga-sadhana-bhakti
On the other hand, raganuga-sadhana-bhakti is the spontaneous practice of
devotional service driven by deep attachment and natural attraction to a specific form
of the Lord, such as Krishna or Radha. It is characterized by a heartfelt desire to
follow in the footsteps of the Lord's intimate devotees, known as the eternal
associates of the Lord. This type of sadhana-bhakti is not based on external
regulations but rather on the intense longing to experience the same loving emotions
as the Lord's associates.

Analogously, raganuga-sadhana-bhakti is compared to a person who, inspired by the

taste of a particular dish, tries to recreate it without a specific recipe. They are
motivated by their deep love and desire for that specific taste, and they naturally
develop their own way of preparing it, guided by their inner inspiration.

Raganuga bhakti cannot be practiced artificially. In Raganuga bhakti, an advanced

devotee tries to serve Krishna by following the footsteps of an eternal associate of
Krishna in Vrindavan. One may follow the footsteps of Nanda or Yashoda or
Krishna’s cowherd friends or gopis. By serving Krishna following the footsteps of
Krishna’s eternal associate, a devotee will also eventually get qualified to serve
Krishna in that rasa in the spiritual world. Srila Prabhupada explains, “There is a
gradual development of the ambition to become like a particular devotee, and this
activity is called raganuga.” Nectar of Devotion, Chapter Sixteen. So, Raganuga
bhakti develops gradually.

Srila Prabhupada elaborately explains in the purport of Sri Chaitanya Charitamṛta,

Madhya Lila 22.153. “Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura says that a
devotee is attracted by the service of the inhabitants of Vrindavana — namely the
cowherd men, Maharaja Nanda, mother Yashoda, Radharaṇi, the gopis and the
cows and calves. An advanced devotee is attracted by the service rendered by
an eternal servitor of the Lord. This attraction is called spontaneous attraction.
Technically it is called svarupa- upalabdhi. This stage is not achieved in the
beginning. In the beginning one has to render service strictly according to the
regulative principles set forth by the revealed scriptures and the spiritual master. By
continuously rendering service through the process of vaidhi bhakti, one’s natural
inclination is gradually awakened. That is called spontaneous attraction, or raganuga
bhakti.”

An example
Skanda Purana tells the story of a man who was living in Hastinapur. He developed
a desire to serve Lord Krishna as his son. Sage Narada explained him that to
serve Krishna like a parent, he should follow the footsteps of Nanda Maharaj. He
followed the instruction of the sage and achieved desired result. Here it should be
noted that the man did not want to become Nanda Maharaj. But he wanted to serve
like Nanda Maharaj.

So, an advanced devotee does not want to become Yashoda, Nanda or Lalita sakhi
in Vrindavan. Instead, they follow their footsteps, perfect their lives and become
qualified to serve like them eternally in Vrindavan.

Srila Rupa Goswami explains that the practice of sadhana-bhakti, whether vaidhi or
raganuga, is ultimately aimed at awakening one's innate love for God. By engaging
in devotional activities, cultivating the proper mood, associating with devotees, and
following the principles of devotional service, one gradually purifies the heart and
develops a deep attachment to the Lord.

It is important to note that both vaidhi and raganuga-sadhana-bhakti are valid paths
of devotional practice. The choice between them depends on an individual's nature,
inclination, and level of spiritual advancement. The essential factor is the sincere
cultivation of devotion and the awakening of love for the Supreme Lord.

In conclusion, the process of sadhana-bhakti is the systematic practice of devotional

service that leads to the awakening of pure love for God. Vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti
involves following prescribed regulations and duties, while raganuga-sadhana-bhakti
is characterized by spontaneous and loving attachment to the Lord. Both paths are
aimed at deepening one's relationship with the Supreme Lord and ultimately
attaining the highest goal of life – pure, unalloyed devotion.