Absorption in the Divine – Understanding Ecstatic Love for God
The pursuit of spiritual life culminates in a state of deep, internal absorption where the soul is entirely focused on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies this condition as ecstatic love, the highest platform of human achievement. Unlike material emotions, this spiritual ecstasy is permanent and provides the only real alternative to the vacancy of the impersonal Brahman effulgence. This article examines the nature of transcendental samādhi, the methods by which such love is invoked, and the symptoms of a heart that has been melted by the fire of pure devotion.
Nature of Transcendental Samādhi
True spiritual absorption, or samādhi, is not a state of voidness but a condition of intense activity in the service of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this state is achieved by constant engagement in devotional service, which allows the practitioner to experience a state of "alertness" in their love. At this perfectional stage, known as bhāva, the devotee becomes immune to the material modes of nature and finds it impossible to exist without the consciousness of Kṛṣṇa. This absorption is the soul's natural state, which is recovered once the layers of material ignorance are conquered.
- Actually, ecstatic samadhi, or absorption in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can be achieved by constant engagement in His service.
- A devotee once stated, "I have already conquered the modes of ignorance, and I am now on the platform of transcendental knowledge. Therefore I shall be engaged only in searching after the Supreme Personality of Godhead." This is an instance of alertness in ecstatic love.
- To be immuned to the infection of the gunas, we have to engage in bhakti-yoga. Once we attain the perfectional stage, we attain ecstatic love of Godhead. In that state we cannot remain without Krsna for a moment. That is called bhava.
Invoking Love through Practice and Mercy
The awakening of ecstatic love occurs under two primary conditions: the systematic practice of regulated devotion and the causeless mercy of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that by following the rules and regulations prescribed in the scriptures under a bona fide spiritual master, a person can potently invoke this love. The life of Nārada Muni serves as a primary example of someone who rose to the stage of ecstasy through such practice. However, the Lord also awards this position out of His own extraordinary mercy, demonstrating that the path of love is ultimately a gift from the Divine.
- Ecstatic love of Godhead can be potently invoked simply by following the rules and regulations of devotional service as they are prescribed in scriptures, under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master.
- An example of rising to the stage of ecstatic love by executing the regulative principles of devotional service is given in the life story of Narada, which is described to Vyasadeva in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- When a devotee is found to be always associated with the Lord in ecstatic love, it is to be understood that such a position has been awarded by the Lord Himself out of His causeless extraordinary mercy.
- This pure love can be transferred to the Supreme Personality of Godhead under two conditions - out of ecstasy and out of the causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.
Physical Symptoms of a Melted Heart
When the heart is melted by the practice of bhakti-yoga, the internal spiritual transformation manifests through specific bodily symptoms. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes these manifestations—such as tears, trembling, and the standing of the hair on end—as evidence of transcendental bliss. For instance, when Aditi saw the Lord face to face, she was unable to speak, her eyes filling with tears of ecstasy. Great devotees like Śrīla Mādhavendra Purī would dance and sing without cessation, completely lost in the ocean of divine affection. These symptoms prove that the devotee is no longer operating on the material plane.
- When one is in ecstatic love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one's heart is melted by bhakti-yoga and one feels transcendental bliss. There are bodily symptoms manifest, and due to eagerness, there are tears in the eyes.
- Aditi stood silently with folded hands, unable to offer prayers to the Lord. Because of transcendental bliss, tears filled her eyes, and the hairs on her body stood on end. Because she could see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face, she felt ecstasy, and her body trembled.
- When he (Daruka) was engaged in such service (fanning Krsna with a camara), he was filled with ecstatic love, and the symptoms of ecstatic love became manifest in his body.
Perfection and the Return to Goloka
Achieving ecstatic love for God is synonymous with the complete perfection of life. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the final destination for the soul is Goloka Vṛndāvana, where the "creeper" of devotion grows its ultimate fruits at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. Unlike the impersonal Brahman effulgence, where there is no chance for a reciprocation of love, the spiritual world offers a platform for eternal, joyful exchange. By keeping oneself in this transcendental position, even at the point of death, the soul is guaranteed to return back to Godhead, leaving behind the cycle of birth and death forever.
- When one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life.
- There (in Goloka Vrndavana) the creeper takes shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord, and that is its final destination. At that time the creeper begins to grow the fruits of ecstatic love of God.
- To feel the emotion of ecstatic love of God is to be on the transcendental platform. If one can keep himself in that transcendental position, he will surely return home, back to Godhead.
Conclusion
Ecstatic love for God is the only permanent solution to the soul's search for satisfaction. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions illuminate a path where regulated discipline naturally blossoms into spontaneous absorption. By taking shelter of the bhakti-yoga process, we can cleanse our hearts of material contamination and experience the same bliss that moved the great saints of our tradition. Ultimately, this love is our eternal inheritance—a state of being where material unhappiness is forgotten, and we find our perfect, eternal rest at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa in the spiritual sky.
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 Ecstatic Love for God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.