A Systematic Study of Bhakti – Explained in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu
The spiritual journey toward Kṛṣṇa is characterized by deep internal shifts that manifest as complex emotional experiences. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī as the definitive guidebook for understanding these transformations. By providing a scientific vocabulary for the movements of the soul, this scripture ensures that the devotee's progress is based on infallible spiritual laws rather than material imagination. This article examines the anatomy of spiritual emotion, the diverse mellows of devotion, and the benchmarks of genuine advancement as explained in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu.
The Anatomy of Spiritual Emotion
In the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, emotions that might appear mundane are revealed to have profound spiritual significance when directed toward Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that symptoms such as aśru (tears) or jāḍya (loss of memory) are not merely physical reactions but are combinations of joy, anger, and separation. For example, dainya (humility) is defined as a specialized combination of unhappiness and fearfulness that results in a sense of condemnation and physical inactivity. These definitions allow the devotee to recognize the symptoms of ecstasy without being misled by material concepts of emotion.
- Asru is explained in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu as a combination of joy, anger and moroseness that causes water to flow from the eyes without effort.
- In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, jadya is explained as loss of memory brought about by severe shock due to separation from the beloved.
- In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, the word dainya (humility) is explained as follows: When unhappiness, fearfulness and the sense of having offended combine, one feels condemned. This sense of condemnation is described as dinata, humility.
- In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, the word dainya (humility) is explained as follows: When one is subjected to humility, he feels physically inactive, he apologizes, and his consciousness is disturbed. His mind is also restless, and many other symptoms are visible.
Twelve Mellows of Devotion
Devotional service is relished through specific relationships known as rasas. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that there are twelve kinds of rasas explained in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, including five primary and seven indirect mellows. The indirect mellows, such as hāsya (laughing) and bhaya (fear), provide a dynamic variety of transcendental experience. When a devotee develops a laughing attachment to Kṛṣṇa, for instance, it is technically termed hāsya-bhakti-rasa. By renovating our relationship with Kṛṣṇa through these authorized mellows, we can live eternally in full knowledge and bliss.
- Hasya, adbhuta, vira, karuna, raudra, bhaya and bibhatsa - the seven indirect mellows - are explained in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 4.1.6.
- The hasya-bhakti-rasa, laughing devotion, is explained as follows: When through devotional service a laughing attachment to Krsna is developed, it is called hasya-bhakti-rasa by learned scholars.
- There are twelve kinds of rasas, as will be explained in this book, and by renovating our relationship with Krsna in five primary rasas we can live eternally in full knowledge and bliss.
Defining Renunciation and Despondency
A critical teaching Explained in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu is the distinction between genuine and incomplete renunciation. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that markaṭa-vairāgya, or monkey-like renunciation, occurs when one rejects things related to the Supreme Lord thinking them to be material. Additionally, the text defines nirveda (despondency) and viṣāda (regret) as specific states resulting from separation or the failure to achieve spiritual goals. These precise definitions prevent a devotee from confusing spiritual frustration with genuine detachment or despondency.
- In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.256), markata-vairagya, or phalgu-vairagya, is explained as follows: When persons eager to achieve liberation renounce things related to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thinking them to be material, their renunciation is called incomplete.
- The word nirveda is also explained in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu: One may feel unhappiness and separation, as well as jealousy and lamentation, due to not discharging one’s duties. The despondency that results is called nirveda.
- When one fails to achieve his desired goal of life and repents for all his offenses, there is a state of regret called visada.
Threshold of Perfection
The ultimate result of systematic study and practice is the awakening of rati, or transcendental attachment. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this is a tenderness of the heart that manifests only when one is no longer interested in mere material liberation. At the stage of bhāva, the mind becomes completely dovetailed with the desire of the Supreme. These developments, along with symptoms like unmāda (extreme joy in separation), are vividly described in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu to show that the path of bhakti leads to tangible, accelerating manifestations of love for Kṛṣṇa.
- The word rati is explained in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.3.41) - When a tenderness of the heart is manifested, there is rati, or attachment. But those who are interested in being liberated from material bondage will not manifest this tenderness.
- This stage of life (when the mind is completely dovoted with the desire of the Supreme) is explained by Rupa Gosvami in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu.
- The Nectar of Devotion, a summary study of Srila Rupa Gosvami's Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, explains those symptoms (of bhava stage) and vividly describes other transcendental developments, both in steady and accelerating manifestations.
Conclusion
The science of devotional service provides a clear roadmap for the reawakening of the soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s presentation of the truths explained in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu shows that every emotional state, from humility to ecstatic bewilderment, has a designated place in the development of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By moving beyond vague spiritual concepts into the systematic definitions of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, we can understand the variety of mellows available in our relationship with the Divine. Ultimately, this study transforms the practitioner's heart, leading away from incomplete renunciation and toward a state where every breath and emotion is dovetailed with the Supreme Lord.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Explained in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.