What is a follower of Śrīla Prabhupāda, a Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava follower of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu?
The answer is simple and has to be "on the tip of tongue"
However, absurdly, if we ask 20 different devotees, we will obtain 20 DIFFERENT ANSWERS !!!
COMPACT ANSWER
A true follower of Srila Prabhupada, a Gaudiya Vaisnava, true follower of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is that devotee who propagates the Maha Mantra Hare Krsna throughout the world in the mood of Vrndavana (Madhurya-rasa) following the path of Raganuga Bhakti to the benefit of all.
This is the answer. Nothing more and nothing less than this. Just this.
There are many branches of Vedic knowledge and more. They are all important in some sense. And a Gaudiya Vaisnava can specialize in one or several according to his ability. Ayur (medicine), Gandharva (music), Dhanur (martial art), Sthapatya (architecture), Nirukta (etymology and lexicology), Vyakarana (grammar), Kalpa (ritual), Jyotisa (astronomy and astrology), etc. As well as all branches of current knowledge.
However, in terms of spiritual Sadhana and Sadhya it is only the propagation of Maha Mantra Hare Krsna throughout the world in the mood of Vrndavana (Madhurya-rasa) following the path of Raganuga Bhakti.
Sri Caitanya who is solely and exclusively in the conjugal mood of Radha, explains this with HIS OWN words in CC Adi 4 and CC Madhya 8.
Sim, quando apresentamos o Maha Mantra Hare Krsna para pessoas que nunca tiveram um contacto, simplesmente enfatizamos que é um grande Mantra para nos purificar, nos conectar com Deus e Sua energia, para cultivar nossa relação com Deus. E não vamos muito mais do que isto.
Depois, e se a pessoa se interessa e já tem algum contacto com as actividades que Krsna executou nesta Terra a 5000 anos em Vrndavana, então ai sim explicamos que o cantar de Hare Krsna deve ser feito no humor de Vrndavana.
Devoto(a)s iniciados então nem se fala. Eles só cantam o Maha Mantra Hare Krsna no humor de Vrndavana (Madhurya-rasa) seguindo o caminho de Raga Marga.
When Sripada Mahanidhi Madana Gopala Dasa Babaji Maharaja speaks about different answers, he is referring to Sadhana and Sadhya.
There is no problem in emphasizing instructions on farmimg and cow protection. Great. But this is not the point. Because propagating the Maha Mantra Hare Krsna throughout the world in the mood of Vrndavana (Madhurya-rasa) following the path of Raganuga Bhakti to the benefit of all is common to all.
It is one thing to emphasize instruction on different practical subjects such as farmimg and cow protection, Varnasrama, administration, etc, so many important themes that should be emphasized. But none of this is Sadhana and Sadhya.
The point is, Gaudiya Vaisnavas emphasizing Sadhana and Sadhya completely different from those taught by Mahaprabhu.
For example, we will find devotees who were supposed to be Gaudiya Vaisnavas and claim that we can worship Narayana, practice Vaidhi Bhakti that these are also Sadhana and Sadhya of the Gaudiyas ... and various other things. We even find those who claim that we can worship Sadasiva and go to Kailasa and still be Gaudiyas
Gaudiya Vaisnavas propagate the Maha Mantra Hare Krsna throughout the world in the mood of Vrndavana (Madhurya-rasa) following the path of Raganuga Bhakti as taught and exemplified by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Who is solely and exclusively in the conjugal mood of Sri Radha.
ataeva gopī-bhāva,
kari aṅgīkāra,
rātri-dina cinte rādhā,
kṛṣṇera vihāra
siddha-dehe cinti kare,
tāhāṅñi sevana,
sakhī-bhāve pāya rādhā,
kṛṣṇera caraṇa
Sri Ramananda Raya:
“Listen, O Gaudiya Vaisnavas! You all must accept gopi-bhava, and day and night think about Radha-Krishna’s pastimes while mentally serving the Divine Couple in your siddha deha. By practicing raganuga-bhakti like this, you will definitely attain sakhi/gopi-bhava and the lotus feet of Radha-Krishna.” (CC Madhya 8.228-229)
Yes, any EXTERNAL service that a devotee does, and depending on his conscience, is part of Bhakti.
And although they are all different services are all considered as Bhakti because they are made to satisfy Krsna.
But this is not the point here.
The point here is in relation to the INTERNAL service.
For example, a devotee who is dedicated to take care of cows, what is his INTERNAL service?
It is:
ataeva gopī-bhāva,
kari aṅgīkāra,
rātri-dina cinte rādhā,
kṛṣṇera vihāra
siddha-dehe cinti kare,
tāhāṅñi sevana,
sakhī-bhāve pāya rādhā,
kṛṣṇera caraṇa
A devotee who distributes books, what is his INTERNAL service?
ataeva gopī-bhāva,
kari aṅgīkāra,
rātri-dina cinte rādhā,
kṛṣṇera vihāra
siddha-dehe cinti kare,
tāhāṅñi sevana,
sakhī-bhāve pāya rādhā,
kṛṣṇera caraṇa
etc, etc., etc.
So, EXTERNALLY, the services can and should be different and are all included as Bhakti.
However, INTERNALLY, there is only one Sadhana and Sadhya for all the Gaudiya Vaisnavas:
ataeva gopī-bhāva,
kari aṅgīkāra,
rātri-dina cinte rādhā,
kṛṣṇera vihāra
siddha-dehe cinti kare,
tāhāṅñi sevana,
sakhī-bhāve pāya rādhā,
kṛṣṇera caraṇa
It is not that one meditates on a different mood of this, or meditates on Vaikuntha or Kailasa, who were not the Sadhana and Sadhya given by Sri Caitanya, and yet claim to be a Gaudiya.
This is what Sripada Mahanidhi Madana Gopala Dasa Babaji explains when he says that absurdly 20 devotees will present 20 DIFFERENT ways of INTERNAL meditation
Gaudiyas cultivate only Madhurya Rasa. Other devotees cultivate other Rasas.
Other Rasas are mentioned simply because they are part of the dynamics of Vrndavana.
The Sadhana and Sadhya given personally by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in CC are solely in Madhurya.
THIS is exactly what Sripada Mahanidhi Madana Gopala Dasa Babaji Maharaja speaks when he says that 20 different devotees will give 20 different answers.
A devotee who participates in the movement of Sri Caitanya, especially Iskcon, may cultivate a Rasa other than Madhurya and still be considered Gaudiya, and ONLY and ONLY if he understands that at some point he will receive a Svarupa in Madhurya Manjari Bhava along with the Rasa he cultivates.
"Those who engage in the service of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Lord Advaita Prabhu generally have relationships of parental love, fraternity, servitude and neutrality. When such devotees develop great attachment for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they too become situated within the intimate circle of devotees in conjugal love.”
(Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Anubhasya CC Adi 7-17)
"Other pure devotees, who are more or less attached to Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu, are attracted by other transcendental relationships, such as parental affection, friendship and servitorship. When such devotees are very much attached to the activities of Lord Caitanya, they at once become confidential devotees in conjugal love with the Supreme Lord."
(Srila Prabhupada - Teachings of Lord Caitanya 17)
"In order to relish many Lilas ( and many different forms of Rasa ) Krsna displays many Prakasa forms, each having a separate mentality. Moreover, each Prakasa form (in its own Lila Prakasa) hasn’t a clue about what all of His other Prakasa forms are doing.
Yet similarly, because Krsna’s Nitya Parikaras are His Cid-sakti, they also manifest many Prakasa forms, each having a separate mentality. So as a Bhakta’s various Prakasa forms serve in Krsna’s various Lila Prakasa, none of those Prakasa forms know about what all of the others are doing either !!!"
(Sri Jiva Gosvami - Krsna Sandarbha – Anuccheda 156.8)
We have already harmonized. The CC verse explains that Sri Caitanya came to give Vrndavana. Vrndavana is not only Madhurya Rasa. Krsna has servants, friends, parents. All 4 Rasas are part of the dynamics of Vrndavana. When Krsna goes to be with His parents or friends, the Gopis miss Krsna.
This would not be possible if there were only Madhurya Rasa. Thus, these are the eternal daily pastimes. Asta Kala Lila. Lord Caitanya also has associates who are in different Rasas.
However, the Sadhana and Sadhya given by Sri Caitanya is Madhurya Manjari Rasa. The other Rasas are there simply because they are part of Vrndavana.
Still, if one who is part of the movement of Sri Caitanya wants to cultivate another Rasa other than Madhurya, it is possible. But will also receive a Svarupa of Manjari.
Why?
Because Sri Caitanya is solely and exclusively in the conjugal mood of Sri Radha. And to associate INTIMATELY with Sri Caitanya one must be in Madhurya Rasa.
Because we are followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is solely and exclusively in the CONJUGAL mood of Sri Radha.
This Svarupa is not forced upon us, because we wish to associate ourselves INTIMATELY with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in this conjugal mood.
They are in dasya, sakhya and vatsalya ... but at the same time have a Svarupa in Manjari Bhava. And because of that they are Gaudiyas.
1 - Four Bhavas, But Only One for Publicity
Discussion with Sri Ananta Das Babaji Maharaja on the 16th of March, 2005, Radha-kunda
"Madhava: I have one question. In Chaitanya Caritamrita, Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswamipad has written, chari bhava diya prabhu nachaimu jagate, that Mahaprabhu has given four bhavas, chara-vidha braja-bhava, and with these he has made the world dance. But nowadays in our Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya, there is only manjari-bhava.
Babaji Maharaja: Yes.
Madhava: So, what happened to the other bhavas? Mahaprabhu, it is said, gave char bhava.
Babaji Maharaja: Chari bhava bhakti diya nacaimu bhuvana.
Madhava: Ha, nacaimu bhuvana.
Babaji Maharaja: In this madhura-bhava, manjari-bhava, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, and shanta, all are in inside madhura-bhava. Mahaprabhu has given only madhura-bhava manjari-bhava. Not dasya, sakhya, vatsalya. The others, shanta, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, he did not. Shanta is not here in Vraja-dhama. Here are four: dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhura. But these four bhavas, four emotion, stay inside madhura-bhava. So, if anybody worships in madhura-bhava, then the four will automatically come within his heart.
Madhava: Right.
Babaji Maharaja: There is dasya, service, Radharanis service, Krishnas service, manjari-bhava. So dasya is there, nice, and sakhya also. That means Radharanis sakhi. Anytime Krishna and Radharani are laughing, then also the manjari laughs, so there is sakhya also. And vatsalya also, that means, vatsalya means deep love may come at anytime, like that of a mother and a father to a son, such love also inside there. And madhura bhava itself, that is always there. But actually, madhura-bhava. [Shows one with finger.] Not dasya, sakhya or vatsalya, any others. But inside madhura-bhava, there are four. Four bhavas are staying inside madhura-bhava, and from the others, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, these four bhavas stay there in madhura-bhava. That is better, more nice.
Madhava: Right. Some devotees are asking this, because Nityananda Prabhu came with Dvadasa Gopala, Gauridas Pandit and all, as Subala Sakha and so forth, the Dvadasa Gopalas, so there was also some...
Babaji Maharaja: Nityananda Prabhu is also tasting this madhura-bhava as Ananga Manjari, Nityananda Prabhu also. And Nityananda Prabhu is actually Balarama, Baladeva. So he was with his sakhas here, the sakhas also come here. So with sakhas, he tasting sakhya-bhava, but that is not for publicity among all the devotees. The only publicity Rupa-Sanatana have given is for this manjari-bhava. And for that reason, Ramananda Raya asked Mahaprabhu. Inside Ramanandas heart Mahaprabhu gave that, Mahaprabhus own wish for publicity. And Ramananda Raya went over these four, from shanta-bhava to madhura-bhava, and it is when madhura-bhava came, at that time Mahaprabhu said he gave some taste."
This is the way it is explained.
2 - But if one considers that other Rasas other than Madhurya can be cultivated. No problem . It can be cultivated. But because the devotee is a follower of Sri Caitanya, who is solely and exclusively in Madhurya Rasa, he will also receive a Manjari Svarupa because he desires it to be associated with Mahaprabhu in this mood. And all receive. Without exception. And because of this, they are also considered Gaudiyas.
"Those who engage in the service of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Lord Advaita Prabhu generally have relationships of parental love, fraternity, servitude and neutrality. When such devotees develop great attachment for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they too become situated within the intimate circle of devotees in conjugal love.”
(Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Anubhasya CC Adi 7-17)
"Other pure devotees, who are more or less attached to Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu, are attracted by other transcendental relationships, such as parental affection, friendship and servitorship. When such devotees are very much attached to the activities of Lord Caitanya, they at once become confidential devotees in conjugal love with the Supreme Lord."
(Srila Prabhupada - Teachings of Lord Caitanya 17)
"In order to relish many Lilas ( and many different forms of Rasa ) Krsna displays many Prakasa forms, each having a separate mentality. Moreover, each Prakasa form (in its own Lila Prakasa) hasn’t a clue about what all of His other Prakasa forms are doing.
Yet similarly, because Krsna’s Nitya Parikaras are His Cid-sakti, they also manifest many Prakasa forms, each having a separate mentality. So as a Bhakta’s various Prakasa forms serve in Krsna’s various Lila Prakasa, none of those Prakasa forms know about what all of the others are doing either !!!"
[Sri Jiva Gosvami - Krsna Sandarbha – Anuccheda 156]
No, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Prabhupada's school program is ONLY RAGANUGA BHAKTI.
Why?
Because the goal to achieve is Vrndavana.
Followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Prabhupada are not meant to reach Vaikuntha.
In Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Prabhupada's school, Vaidhi Sadhana gets another name. AJATA Ruci Raganuga (without taste). The devotee wants to go to Vrndavana, but follows the process only because the Sastra says.
And then in Nistha (when Lobha awakens, and this may happen even before) becomes JATA Ruci Raganuga (with gusto).
Two misconceptions:
1 - Raganuga Bhakti would only begin at the advanced stage of Bhava. WRONG.
Raganuga Bhakti begins when Lobha awakens in Nistha because the devotee though he still has Anarthas ALSO has spiritual desires.
Raganuga Bhakti is Sadhana and not the stage of perfection.
2 - In Raganuga Sadhana Bhakti there is no need to follow anything. WRONG.
Both Ajata Ruci (Vaidhi) Raganuga Bhaktas and Jata Ruci Raganuga Bhaktas FOLLOW EVERYTHING.
They go to Mangala Arati, sing Japa, distribute books, do Harinama, etc. All.
The only things they do not follow is to make Mudras, Nyasa and indulge in Dvaraka's pastimes.
Stop talking nonsense !!!
Sadhana Bhakti is composed of Vaidhi (AJATA RUCI RAGANUGA) and Raganuga (JATA RUCI RAGANUGA).
Vaidhi (AJATA RUCI RAGANUGA) will lead to Raganuga (JATA RUCI RAGANUGA).
And BECAUSE of this, BECAUSE from the very first moment it becomes very clear to the devotee that the goal is to go to Vrndavana, is that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Prabhupada's school program is ONLY RAGANUGA BHAKTI.
"Because the vaidhi-bhakti prescribed by Srimad-Bhagavatam is bhakti-matra-kama, it is considered by Srila Jiva Gosvami to be simply an aspect of raganuga-bhakti. Thus it is not incorrect to say that in ISKCON the method of devotional service is raganuga-bhakti ALONE." (Suhotra Svami)
"In Bhakti-sandarbha Anucchedya 311, Jiva Gosvami explains: ajatadrsa rucina tu sadrsesadara matradrta raganugapi vaidhi sambalitai-vanustheya; tatha lokasamgrahartham pratisthena jatatadrsa rucina ca atra misratve ca yatha yogyam raganugayaiki krtyaiva vaidhi kartavya--
"Devotees who have an interest to practice raganuga-bhakti, but who are still ajata-ruci (without much taste for hearing and chanting), should combine vaidhi-bhakti principles with their practice of raganuga-bhakti."
In summary, according to Srila Jiva Gosvami there are two kinds of raganuga-bhaktas: jata-ruci (those whose taste has come about) and ajata-ruci (those whose taste has not yet come about). It is not that ajata-ruci devotees in ISKCON only deserve to be called "vaidhi-bhaktas."
On the strength of Srila Jiva Gosvami's explanation of raganuga-bhakti, all ISKCON devotees may be called raganuga-bhaktas. Cc Madhya-lila 22.156-157 also confirms that vaidhi-sadhana is to be accepted by Lord Caitanya's followers as the external aspect of raganuga-sadhana, not as something separate from the practice of raganuga." (Suhotra Svami)
And this in practice works like that:
If we ask a Bhaktin or Bhakta, with a few weeks to where they want to go. In Iskcon, all Bhaktas and Bhaktins will respond that they want to go to Vrndavana and not Vaikuntha.
They are not yet attracted by a specific relationship with Krsna because they are just beginning. But they are quite clear that they want to go to Vrndavana. Now, they must follow the rules and regulations (Vaidhi = Ajata Ruci Raganuga) and in the future awaken this attraction by a specific Rasa (which in the case of the Gaudiyas is Madhurya) and thus begin Raganuga (Jata Ruci Raganuga).
And so, because from the beginning it is defined that the goal is Vrndavana we say that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Prabhupada's school program is ONLY RAGANUGA BHAKTI.
