This morning we slept in to recover from the travel. The previous day we'd been keeping too busy to take much rest at all. Anyhow, as we got up, we discovered that the electricity was out, and that we were out of water as well. Eventually the electricity came back, but the electric pump was off limits because the hand-pump downstairs was in use. And it was in use for a good while there. The laundry-lady helped us out with a stack of laundry left over from our previous trip to Vraja, she was washing much of that, as well as some pots and laundry for the downstairs folks, Bul Bul and the family. It must have been well beyond mid-day before we finally got around to taking bath.

Eventually Krishna Das, the bookstore-wallah, popped in for a brief moment of tech support. We explored the wonders of double-clicking and sorted out a misplaced toolbar issue. Soon enough a devotee from Russia came over for a visit with Yugal. He had sent me a letter a good while back, which had for one reason or another gone unanswered. We had a long discussion on a number of topics covering raganuga-bhakti and our bhajan-marga.

Someone had told him that when we attain siddhi, we will be like atoms or cells in the spiritual body of a nitya-siddha manjari in Vraja-dhama. This concept is errant, however, being a variety of ahangrahopasana that is shunned by bhakti-sadhakas. There are people who will tell you the strangest philosophies, please do not hesitate to ask them to refer to the shastra if you are in doubt over an explanation you hear. Some people should do less speculating and more study of shastra.

Towards the end of the second chapter of the first division of his Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, Sri Rupa Goswami has explained the two varieties of of "imitational bhakti" (anuga-bhakti), or bhakti that closely follows the example of the nitya-parshadas of Radha and Krishna. Commenting on verse 1.2.306, Sripad Visvanatha clarifies the concept:



Both Jiva and Visvanatha emphatically declare the concept erroneous. Therefore, it is improper to conceive of oneself as merging into the being of a nitya-parshada. Rather, we are all to attain unique, individual siddha-svarupas in the service of Sri-Sri Radha-Shyama. This is at the root of the Gaudiya bhajana-marga.

We also discussed the erroneous concept some entertain over the matter of vaidhi and raganuga. Some Gaudiyas go so far as to declare that they are preachers of vaidhi-bhakti, being disqualified from the practice of raganuga-sadhana. At the root of this idea is the misconception that raganuga only refers to the spontaneous, advanced stages of bhakti. However, the very core of what Sri Chaitanya has brought is the love of the Vraja-vasis for Sri Krishna. Aspiration for such raga, such loving attachment, is called raganuga, or following in the wake of the Vrajavasis' love. Regarding the immature stages of raganuga-bhakti, Sri Jiva has explained the following in his Bhakti-sandarbha (312):



The ajata-ruci-raganuga-sadhakas should therefore perform their daily sadhana regardless of the presence or absence of spontaneous taste and inspiration, just like vaidhi-bhakti-wallahs do. Having attained the stage of ruchi, one may engage in sadhana twenty-four hours straight without a feeling of fatique, and consequently there is little concern there over whether he will engage in the practices of sadhana or not. However, for the smooth progress of those not yet on such a level, sadhana must be performed regardless. Both of these stages are included under the umbrella of raganuga-sadhana. (For a further study of vaidhi and raganuga, please refer to Raganuga.Org.)

As the sun began to set, our visitor made his way back to Vrindavan. Traveling during the dark hours is not a very wise idea, especially on the road between Radha-kunda and Chatikara (which is the road you generally take when you head for Vrindavan). Take the Mathura-road if you need to travel after the sunset.

In the evening, we left for some shopping at the bazaar, then heading for Vrajananda Ghera for Baba's darshan. However, Baba had just left for a walk at that time, so we decided to just come again tomorrow instead of staying back and waiting. Fortunately we met him on the way to our house, and exchanged a couple of brief thoughts there. He is always concerned for our welfare.