Rāga, in its essence, is a state of complete and natural immersion in the object of one’s devotion. When the mind becomes deeply attracted to someone, it becomes consumed with their thoughts. This relentless contemplation and immersion in the thoughts of the beloved is the essence of Rāgānugā Bhakti. In the realm of devotion, this is the beginning of the sacred practice of Sādhana—thinking of, remembering, and contemplating the divine pastimes of Śrī Krishna.
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, in his work Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, defines Rāgānugā Bhakti as follows:
Virājantīm abhivyaktāṁ vraja-vāsi-janādiṣu rāgātmikām anusṛtā yā sā rāgānugocyate
“Devotional service in spontaneous love is vividly expressed and manifested by the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana. Devotional service that accords with their devotional service is called Rāgānugā Bhakti, or devotional service following in the wake of spontaneous loving service.”
He further elucidates the concept of ‘Rāga’ as इष्टे स्वारसिकी परमाविष्टता, which Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains as iṣṭe svānukūlya-viṣaye svārasikī svābhāvikī parmāviṣṭatā tasyā hetuḥ prema-maya-tṛṣṇety arthaḥ—meaning total absorption in the object of one’s favorable service, driven by a desire made of pure love (prema).
The Chaitanya Charitāmṛta (Madhya 22.161) further describes Rāgānugā Bhakti as:
Dāsa-sakhā-pitrādi-preyasīra gaṇa rāga-mārge nija-nija-bhāvera gaṇana
“Kṛṣṇa has many types of devotees—some are servants, some are friends, some are parents, and some are conjugal lovers. Devotees who are situated in one of these attitudes of spontaneous love according to their choice are considered to be on the path of spontaneous loving service (Rāgānugā Bhakti).”
Smarana is the practice of thinking, remembering, or meditating, and in the context of Rāgānugā Bhakti, Līlā Smarana specifically refers to the meditation on the pastimes of the Lord, naturally encompassing Dhāma Smarana (thinking of the Lord’s abode, Vraja) and Rūpa Smarana (thinking of the Lord’s form). Devotees should always remain in the remembrance of Krishna, meditating on His names, forms, pastimes, and qualities. Ideally, one should reside in Vraja, either physically or mentally, to deepen this practice.
Śrī Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura, in his Prema-bhakti-candrikā (1.14), emphasizes the importance of this practice:
Sādhana smaraṇa līlā, ihāte nā kara helā kāya mane kariyā susāra
“Never neglect your sādhana and smarana of Krishna-līlā.”
Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, in the opening verses of his Gopāla-campū, beautifully captures the joy of Līlā Smarana:
“I have no power to describe the happiness that those who meditate on Lord Krishna feel in their hearts. When Krishna enters the heart to enjoy pastimes there, that heart blossoms with joy. About that joy, there can be neither questions nor descriptions. Lord Krishna attracts the hearts of the pious, and anyone who meditates on Krishna’s pastimes will find themselves overcome with bliss and love.”
Smarana is the core of Rāgānugā Bhakti, as emphasized by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura in his Rāga-vartma-candrikā:
Smaraṇasyātra rāgānugāyaṁ mukhyatvaṁ rāgasya mano dharmatvāt
“Smarana is the main element of Rāgānugā Bhakti, as this form of devotion is primarily a function of the mind.”
Further, in his Śrī Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu-bindu, he states:
Tatra rāgānugāyam smaraṇasya mukhyatvam
“In Rāgānugā Bhakti, Smarana is the most important aspect.”
Vaidhi Bhakti, the path of devotion with rules, regulations, and formality, is essential for beginners in their devotional journey. Just as a new friendship starts with caution and respect, Vaidhi Bhakti lays the foundation for understanding Krishna, His qualities, and our connection to Him. These rules ensure that one does not take the rare gift of Prema Bhakti casually and help devotees advance gradually. The ultimate goal of Vaidhi Bhakti is to progress to Rāgānugā Bhakti, where love flows spontaneously, free from the constraints of formal regulations. In this stage, love for Krishna becomes an uncontainable force, naturally fulfilling all scriptural injunctions while transcending them in the depth of its intimacy.
The journey from Vaidhi Bhakti to Rāgānugā Bhakti is one of deepening love and intimacy with the Divine. As one moves from a structured approach to a spontaneous, love-driven devotion, the heart becomes more and more absorbed in the sweet pastimes of Krishna. This path, revealed by the mercy of saints and guided by a bonafide Vrajavāsī Premi Rasika Vaiṣṇava, leads the devotee to the highest realms of divine love, where Krishna’s pastimes and the land of Vraja become the very life and soul of the devotee.
In this state, the soul yearns for nothing but the eternal companionship of Sri Radha and Krishna, finding joy in every moment of Līlā Smarana and in the spontaneous flow of divine love, which transcends all worldly concerns and leads to the ultimate union with the Divine.
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