15 / Spontaneous Devotional Service

The examples of spontaneous devotional service can be easily seen
in Krsna’s direct associates in Vrndavana. The spontaneous dealings
of the residents of Vrndavana in relationship with Krsna are called
raganuga. These beings don’t have to learn anything about devotional
service; they are already perfect in all regulative principles and have
achieved the spontaneous loving service of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. For example, the cowherd boys who are playing with
Krsna do not have to learn by austerities or penances or yogic prac-
tice how to play with Him. They have passed all tests of regulative
principles in their previous lives, and as a result they are now elevated
to the position of direct association with Krsna as His dear friends.
Their spontaneous attitude is called raganuga-bhakti.

Sti Ripa Gosvami has defined raganuga-bhakti as spontaneous at-
traction for something while completely absorbed in thoughts of it,
with an intense desire of love. Devotional service executed with such
feelings of spontaneous love is called raéganuga-bhakti. Devotional
service under the heading of raganuga can be further divided into two
categories: one category is called sensuous attraction, and the other is
called relationship.

In this connection, there is a statement by Narada Muni to Yudhis-
thira in the Seventh Canto, Ist Chapter, 29th verse, of the Srimad-
Bhagavatam. There Narada says, “My dear King, there are many devo-
tees who first become attracted to the Personality of Godhead for
purposes of sense gratification, from being envious of Him, out of
fear of Him, or from desiring to associate affectionately with Him.
Ultimately these attractions become freed from all material contami-

121
