Two Levels of Bhakti Yoga Practice
Here is introduced two types of Gurus and two types of followers of the bhakti spiritual path. One is usually for beginners, who are attracted to following vaidi, or devotional service according to following external rituals, strict rules, fasts etc. The other is for those who are attracted to serving God by seeing a more rare kind of devotional service, and being drawn to learning how to relate and communicate with God internally, within their own heart. Great personalities, like Jesus, Lord Caitanya, and their real followers sometimes propagate this path, preferred by God, especially in this Kali Yuga. The latter path in Vaishnavism is more rare to see in this world in contemporary times. The first path vaidi is propagated in Vaishnavism mostly now days, and the latter rarely. The first path vaidi depends on strict disciplines and austerities. The latter path depends on the grace of a recipient of this rare mercy, and progressively awaken pure devotional divine love in their heart. Most follow vaidi because they do not understand the path of grace, deeper truth and mercy when it is presented before them unless the spiritual preceptor is prepared to endure a years of being misunderstood in their endeavors to propagate it.