Anubhāva - The External Symptoms of Ecstatic Love
In the elaborated theology of The Nectar of Devotion, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the intricate science of how a devotee experiences love for God. This experience is not static; it is dynamic and transformative. One of the key components of this experience is anubhāva—the external bodily symptoms that spontaneously arise when the heart is overwhelmed with spiritual emotion.
The Ingredients of Rasa
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that loving exchange with Kṛṣṇa is a scientific process involving specific emotional components. Just as a tasty dish is produced by mixing different spices and ingredients, the mellow of devotional service (bhakti-rasa) is tasted through the combination of five elements: vibhāva, anubhāva, sāttvika, vyabhicārī, and sthāyī-bhāva. Anubhāva specifically refers to the "subsequent ecstasy" or the actions performed by the devotee that reveal their internal state.
- Different ingredients are involved in the exchange of love between the asraya (devotee) and visaya (Krsna), which are known as vibhava, anubhava, sattvika and vyabhicari.
- Without some mixture of these five ecstatic principles (vibhava, anubhava, sattvika-bhava, vyabhicari-bhava and sthayi-bhava), one cannot relish transcendental bliss.
- By means of vibhava, anubhava, sattvika and vyabhicari, hearing and chanting are activated, and the devotee is able to taste love for Krsna. Then attachment for Krsna, or permanent ecstasy (sthayi-bhava), becomes the mellow of devotional service.
- In this division of Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu there are five general topics: vibhava - special symptoms of ecstasy, anubhava - subsequent ecstasy, sattvika-bhava - constitutional ecstasy, vyabhicari-bhava- aggressive ecstasy and sthayi-bhava- fervent ecstasy.
The Thirteen Symptoms
What does anubhāva look like? Śrīla Prabhupāda lists thirteen distinct bodily transformations that serve as symptoms of this ecstasy. These include dancing, rolling on the ground, singing loudly, yawning, and even hiccuping. When these symptoms manifest, the devotee often disregards social conventions, acting purely on the impulse of spiritual love.
- Anubhava can be divided into thirteen categories: dancing, rolling on the ground, singing, yelling, jumping, making loud noises, yawning, heavy breathing, not caring for public opinion, discharging saliva, roaring laughter, unsteadiness and hiccuping.
- Examples of anubhava as follows: dancing, rolling on the ground, singing very loudly, stretching the body, crying loudly, yawning, breathing very heavily, neglecting the presence of others, drooling, laughing like a madman, wheeling the head and belching.
- In the attitude of anubhava, one dances and sometimes falls down, sometimes sings loudly, shows convulsions, yawns, and sometimes breathes very heavily - all without concern for circumstances.
- The subordinate ecstasies are smiling, dancing and singing, as well as different manifestations in the body. The natural ecstasies, such as being stunned, are considered among the subordinate ecstasies (anubhava).
Examples in Pastimes
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates anubhāva through the activities of eternal associates of the Lord. For instance, Dāruka, Kṛṣṇa’s chariot driver, exhibits anubhāva through his service of fanning the Lord. The gopīs of Vṛndāvana and the Queens of Dvārakā exhibit these symptoms through their exchanging of glances, joking, or speaking in delirium due to intense affection. These actions are not mundane emotions but are manifestations of deep spiritual attachment.
- The first symptom of anubhava, or engagement in a particular type of service, is exemplified by Daruka, a servant of Krsna who used to fan Krsna with a camara, a bunch of hair.
- Their only thought is to go out in search of Krsna. When the gopis meet Krsna, the display of their exchanging glances as well as their joking and laughing behavior is called anubhava, or sub-ecstasy in conjugal love.
- Sometimes, in thought of Krsna, they (the queens) remained silent, and in great ecstasy of bhava and anubhava they sometimes spoke as if in delirium.
- Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, one of the great acaryas in the modern age, explains that anubhava, or the glory of the Lord, is first appreciated by the devotee in ecstasy manifesting the symptoms of perspiring, trembling, weeping, bodily eruptions, etc.
Genuine vs. Imitation
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently warns against the imitation of these high symptoms. Anubhāva is the result of the seed of love of God fructifying in the heart. It is a very advanced stage. One who is still on the material platform should not artificially display these symptoms or even discuss them without proper guidance, as this leads to sahajiyāism.
- These are all called anubhava, subordinate signs of ecstatic emotion. They are visible in a person in whose heart the seed of love of God has begun to fructify.
- No one, while remaining on the material platform, should discuss these different descriptions of bhava and anubhava by quoting different statements of transcendental literatures.
- By engaging in sravanam kirtanam visnoh under a spiritual master one's life becomes perfect, and his attachment for Krsna becomes positively manifested. In that stage, he is situated in ecstasy, experiencing bhava and anubhava.
- Continual perfect love of Godhead is called sthayi-bhava, and when it is performed in a particular type of transcendental relationship it is called anubhava. But the stage of mahabhava is visible amongst the personal pleasure potential energies.
Conclusion
Anubhāva serves as the external evidence of the internal perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. As Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, when the heart is truly purified, the body naturally participates in the ecstasy of the soul. Understanding these symptoms helps the devotee appreciate the depth of the emotions experienced by the great associates of the Lord and provides a roadmap for the ultimate goal of devotional service.
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 Anubhava. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.