Raganuga - 1.3: The Nature of Raganuga-bhakti

Raganuga-bhakti specifically means devotion which is inspired by and follows in the wake of Sri Krishna's eternal associates in the divine realm of Vraja. Their love is known as ragatmika, being filled with natural loving thirst for the Lord.

iSTe svArasikI rAgaH paramAviSTatA bhavet |

tan-mayI yA bhaved bhaktiH sAtra rAgAtmikoditA || (brs 1.2.272)

"That devotion in which one is filled with abundant natural love for the Chosen One is known ragatmika."

This love is splendidly manifest in the eternal residents of Vraja. Ragatmika-bhakti is known to be of two kinds.

sA kAmarUpA sambandharUpA ceti bhaved dvidhA || (brs 1.2.273)

"Its two divisions are that which has the form of an amorous desire (kama-rupa) and that which has the form of a relationship (sambandha-rupa)."

The servants, friends and parents of the Lord are established in a relationship consisting of a recognized relationship in the society. However, the pinnacle of love present in the paramour lovers of the Lord consists of sole amorous desire, which unhesitatingly breaks through the boundaries of acceptable social interaction.

Just as there are two kinds of ragatmika-bhakti, so there are two kinds of raganuga-bhakti.

rAgAtmikAyA dvaividhyAd dvidhA rAgAnugA ca sA |

kAmAnugA ca sambandhAnugA ceti nigadyate || (brs 1.2.290)

"As ragatmika is of two kinds, so is raganuga. It is known as that which follows the amorous desire (kamanuga) and that which follows the relationship (sambandhanuga)."

One who, upon hearing of the sweetness of the feelings of the Lord's eternal associates towards Him, becomes eager to attain feelings akin to theirs, begins the path of raganuga. Let us now proceed to examine the gradations between the various relationships to be attained.