Q. by Matus: Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura states in Jaiva Dharma (Chapter 14) that:
On the path of arcana, Sri Gauranga is worshiped with Visnupriya, and on the path of bhajana, Sri Gauranga is worshiped with Gadadhara.

Answer by Swami Gaurangapada:

This is a deep question. Bhajana normally goes deeper than Archana and is for more advanced sadhakas and Archana purifies the mind and heart for Bhajana. Thus, those who are on the path of Archana or Deity Worship, should worship the divine couple Shri Shri Gaura Vishnupriya to first purify their heart and prepare to enter the higher platform of Bhajana. Shri Shri Gaura Gadadhara worship is vaichitra vilasa or very advanced and can be only performed after a soul attains a high level of advancement, purity and insight in Bhajana. Otherwise the soul may end up speculating and committing an offense that Gaura Gadadhara worship is Gauranga Nagaribhava.

Thus it is important that the soul worships the Deity of the couple Shri Shri Gaura Vishnupriya via Archana vidhi to realize that Lord Gauranga is an ideal householder and His worship does not include amorous relationships with other females associates like in the case of Lord Krishna. Only then can the soul properly understand the pastimes of Shri Shri Gaura Gadadhara in meditation as being fully pure of any mundane contamination, lust and any distorted relationship. As I have explained earlier, Shri Gadadhara is Shrimati Radha Herself but They do not enact those same pastimes of Krishna lila in Gaura lila. Rather They remember and relish Their pastimes of Krishna lila by Naam Sankirtana in Gaura lila.

The second reason for this is Gaura Vishnupriya's pastimes are an integral part of Gaura lila and Gaura Gadadhara's pastimes have more intimate connection with Krishna lila. So Shrila Sacchidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura wants the devotees to first immerse themselves in Gaura lila via the worship of Shri Shri Gaura Vishnupriya and then slowly ascend to the platform of Krishna lila via the Bhajana of Shri Shri Gaura Gadadhara as the heart is gradually purified.

I am sorry for the delay in replying to this question. As the previous forum was down for some time, it had missed my attention.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

Without Lord Nityananda's mercy, no one can attain Shri Shri Gaura Vishnupriya or Shri Shri Gaura Gadadhara. Therefore the worship of Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga and the chanting of Their Holy Names is the most prayojaniya (beneficial) for the conditioned souls of Kali Yuga. Those who are more pure and want to worship Lord Gauranga with His Shakti can worship Shri Shri Gaura Vishnupriya and in the advanced stages Shri Shri Gaura Gadadhara. Though we have seen the most advanced rasika Acharyas like Shrila Gauridasa Pandita worship Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga only. So one should express our mood and accept guidance from Shrila Gurudeva about Whom to worship if one is not sure. The worship of Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga is recommended to one and all whereas the other may require consultation with the spiritual master.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

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