Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 22.153
Spontaneous Attraction Awakens Through Regulated Service
“If one follows in the footsteps of the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana out of such transcendental covetousness, he does not care for the injunctions or reasonings of śāstra. That is the way of spontaneous love.
What the purport teaches
- An advanced devotee is attracted by the service rendered by an eternal servitor of the Lord in Vṛndāvana. This is called spontaneous attraction.
- This stage is not achieved in the beginning. A beginner must serve strictly according to the regulative principles given by the revealed scriptures and the spiritual master.
- Through continuous service in vaidhī bhakti, one’s natural inclination gradually awakens. This spontaneous attraction is called rāgānugā bhakti.
Try this today
Today, carefully carry out one instruction for devotional service given by the revealed scriptures or the spiritual master.
Ask yourself
How does knowing that spontaneous attraction awakens gradually help you remain steady in service?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.