Re: Gauranga = Radha Madan Mohana, Radha Govinda, Radha Gopinath

1.) What does the gradation of the devotees of Lord Gauranga according to these 3 considerations mean?

Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! In Gaura Lilaa, all of the Associates of Lords Nitaai Gaura have attained all the three stages Sambandha, Abhidheya and Prayojana. Without attaining Prayojana, one cannot directly associate with the Lord. But even among these Acharyas who have attained Prayojana, there are various levels similar to the levels in the groups of the Gopies or the Gopas of Vraja. Every associate of Lord Gaura understands the heart of Lord Gaura according to his or her constitutional relationship with the Lord. In Vraja, the eight primary Sakhis in Vraja and their Manjari assistants are the most intimate to Shri Shri Radha Krishna and understand Their hearts in the most confidential manner. When these Gopies appear in Gaura Lilaa as Acharyas, they are also become the most intimate associates to Lord Gauraanga Mahaaprabhu. So the degree of intimacy in Gaura Lilaa is directly proportional to that in Krishna Lilaa.

2.) Does it mean, that analogically to Radha-Krishna-Bhakti, one shall take shelter of and worship Lord Gauranga in these 3 steps: sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana? If yes, what are the exact forms of Lord Gaurahari in these 3 considerations, that one can take shelter and meditate of?

This has not been specifically described by any Acharya about Gaura Lilaa. According to my realization, for a devotee in madhurya rasa in Krishna Lilaa, sambandha begins when one accepts Lord Nityaananda as one's life and soul. Abhidheya is achieved when one renders unalloyed devotional service to Lord Gauraanga. And Prayojana is attained when one participates in the pastimes of Shri Shri Gaura Gadaadhara.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

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