Chapter 23
Life's Ultimate Goal--Love of Godhead
The following summary study of the Twenty-third Chapter is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. In this chapter Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu describes the symptoms of emotion and love and the awakening of one's original loving relationship with the Lord, as well as the characteristics of a devotee who has actually attained that stage. He then describes the gradual increase of love of God up to the point of mahabhava. He then describes the five divisions of attraction and how they continue. He also describes the mellow derived from conjugal love, which is the supreme emotion. Conjugal love is divided into two categories-svakiya and parakiya. Svakiya refers to loving affairs between husband and wife, and parakiya refers to loving affairs between two lovers. There are a number of descriptions in this connection. There is also a description of the sixty-four transcendental qualities of Krsna. Srimati Radharani has twenty-five transcendental qualities.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then describes those candidates who are eligible to taste the mellows of devotional service. Their fundamental natures and their varieties are also described. The Lord also informs Sanatana Gosvami about all the confidential paraphernalia of devotional service. He gives a description of Goloka Vrndavana, where the Lord is engaged in His eternal pastimes described in the Hari-vamsa. There is also an opposing and favorable description of kesa-avatara. All these instructions are mentioned herein.
In this way Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu blessed Sanatana Gosvami, placing His own hand on his head. Thus Sanatana received the power to describe these subjects in books like Hari-bhakti-vilasa.
TEXT 1
TEXT
cirad adattam nija-gupta-vittam
svaprema-namamrtam atyudarah
apamaram yo vitatara gaurah
krsno janebhyas tam aham prapadye
SYNONYMS
cirat--for a long time; adattam--not given; nija-gupta-vittam--His own personal confidential property; sva-prema--of love for Him; nama--of the holy name; amrtam--the ambrosia; ati-udarah--most munificent; a-pamaram--even down to the lowest of men; yah--one who; vitatara--distributed; gaurah--Sri Gaurasundara; krsnah--Lord Krsna Himself; janebhyah--to the people in general; tam--to Him; aham--I; prapadye--offer obeisances.
TRANSLATION
The most munificent Supreme Personality of Godhead, known as Gaurakrsna, distributed to everyone-even the lowest of men-His own confidential treasury in the form of the nectar of love of Himself and the holy name. This was never given to the people at any time before. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.
TEXT 2
TEXT
jaya jaya gauracandra jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya--all glories; gauracandra--to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya--all glories; nityananda--to Nityananda Prabhu; jaya--all glories; advaita-candra--to Advaita Acarya; jaya--all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda--to the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Acarya! And all glories to all the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu!
TEXT 3
TEXT
ebe suna bhakti-phala 'prema'-prayojana
yahara sravane haya bhakti-rasa-jnana
SYNONYMS
ebe suna--now hear; bhakti-phala--the result of practice of devotional service; prema--love of Godhead; prayojana--the ultimate goal of life; yahara sravane--by hearing of which; haya--there is; bhakti-rasa-jnana--transcendental knowledge of the mellows of devotional service.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "Now hear, O Sanatana, about the result of devotional service, which is love of Godhead, life's ultimate goal. If one hears this description, he will be enlightened in the transcendental mellows of devotional service.
TEXT 4
TEXT
krsne rati gadha haile 'prema'-abhidhana
krsna-bhakti-rasera ei 'sthayi-bhava'-nama
SYNONYMS
krsne--unto Lord Krsna; rati--affection; gadha--deep; haile--when it becomes; prema-abhidhana--called love of God; krsna-bhakti-rasera--of the mellows of devotional service to Krsna; ei--this sthayi-bhava-nama--called sthayi-bhava.
TRANSLATION
"When affection for Krsna becomes deeper, one attains love of Godhead in devotional service. Such a position is called sthayi-bhava, permanent enjoyment of the mellows of devotional service to Krsna.
TEXT 5
TEXT
suddha-sattva-visesatma
prema-suryamsu-samya-bhak
rucibhis citta-masrnya-
krd asau bhava ucyate
SYNONYMS
suddha-sattva--by unadultered goodness; visesa--distinguished; atma--whose nature; prema--of love of God; surya--like the sun; amsu--a ray; samya-bhak--which is similar to; rucibhih--by different tastes; citta--of the heart; masrnya--softness; krt--which causes; asau--that softness; bhavah--emotion; ucyate--is called.
TRANSLATION
" 'When devotional service is situated on the transcendental platform of pure goodness, it is like a ray of the sunlight of love for Krsna. At such a time, devotional service causes the heart to be softened by various tastes, and it is called bhava [emotion].'
PURPORT
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.3.1).
TEXT 6
TEXT
e dui,----bhavera 'svarupa', 'tatastha' laksana
premera laksana ebe suna, sanatana
SYNONYMS
ei dui--these two; bhavera--of emotion; sva-rupa--constitutional; tatastha--marginal; laksana--symptoms; premera--of love; laksana--the symptoms; ebe--now; suna--hear; sanatana--O Sanatana.
TRANSLATION
"Bhava [emotion] has two different symptoms-constitutional and marginal. Now, My dear Sanatana, listen to the symptoms of love.
PURPORT
The word suddha-sattva-visesatma means "situated on the transcendental platform of pure goodness." In this way the soul is purified of all material contamination, and this position is called svarupa-laksana, the constitutional symptom of bhava, emotion. By various tastes, one's heart is softened, and there is an awakening of one's loving propensity to render spontaneous service to the Lord. This is called tatastha-laksana, the marginal symptom of bhava.
TEXT 7
TEXT
samyan masrnita-svanto
mamatvatisayankitah
bhavah sa eva sandratma
budhaih prema nigadyate
SYNONYMS
samyak--completely; masrnita-svantah--which makes the heart soft; mamatva--of a sense of ownership; atisaya-ankitah--marked with an abundance; bhavah--emotion; sah--that; eva--certainly; sandra-atma--whose nature is very condensed; budhaih--by learned persons; prema--love of Godhead; nigadyate--is described.
TRANSLATION
" 'When that bhava softens the heart completely, becomes endowed with a great feeling of possessiveness in relation to the Lord and becomes very much condensed and intensified, it is called prema [love of Godhead] by learned scholars.
PURPORT
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.4.1).
TEXT 8
TEXT
ananya-mamata visnau
mamata prema-sangata
bhaktir ity ucyate bhisma-
prahladoddhava-naradaih
SYNONYMS
ananya-mamata--having a sense of relationships with no others; visnau--in Lord Visnu, or Krsna; mamata--the sense of ownership; prema-sangata--endowed only with love; bhaktih--devotional service; iti--thus; ucyate--is said; bhisma--by Bhisma; prahlada--by Prahlada Maharaja; uddhava--by Uddhava; naradaih--and by Narada.
TRANSLATION
" 'When one develops an unflinching sense of ownership or possessiveness in relation to Lord Visnu, or, in other words, when one thinks Visnu and no one else to be the only object of love, such an awakening is called bhakti [devotion] by exalted persons like Bhisma, Prahlada, Uddhava and Narada.'
PURPORT
This verse, quoted from the Narada-pancaratra, is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.4.2).
TEXT 9
TEXT
kona bhagye kona jivera 'sraddha' yadi haya
tabe sei jiva 'sadhu-sanga' ye karaya
SYNONYMS
kona bhagye--by some good fortune; kona jivera--of some living entity; sraddha yadi haya--if there is faith; tabe--then; sei jiva--that living entity; sadhu-sanga--association with devotees; ye--certainly; karaya--makes.
TRANSLATION
"If, by good fortune, a living entity develops faith in Krsna, he begins to associate with devotees.
TEXT 10
TEXT
sadhu-sanga haite haya 'sravana-kirtana'
sadhana-bhaktye haya 'sarvanartha-nivartana'
SYNONYMS
sadhu-sanga haite--from association with devotees; haya--there is; sravana-kirtana--hearing, chanting and so on; sadhana-bhaktye--by devotional service; haya--there is; sarva--all; anartha-nivartana--disappearance of unwanted thing.
TRANSLATION
"When one is encouraged in devotional service by the association of devotees, one becomes free from all unwanted contamination by following the regulative principles and chanting and hearing.
TEXT 11
TEXT
anartha-nivrtti haile bhaktye 'nistha' haya
nistha haite sravanadye 'ruci' upajaya
SYNONYMS
anartha-nivrtti--disappearance of all unwanted contamination; haile--when there is; bhaktye--in devotional service; nistha--firm faith; haya--there is; nistha haite--from such firm faith; sravana-adye--in hearing, chanting and so on; ruci--taste; upajaya--awakens.
TRANSLATION
"When one is freed from all unwanted contamination, he advances with firm faith. When firm faith in devotional service awakens, a taste for hearing and chanting also awakens.
TEXT 12
TEXT
ruci haite bhaktye haya 'asakti' pracura
asakti haite citte janme krsne prity-ankura
SYNONYMS
ruci haite--from such a taste; bhaktye--in devotional service; haya--there is; asakti--attachment; pracura--deep; asakti haite--from attachment; citte--within the heart; janme--appears; krsne--for Krsna; priti-ankura--the seed of affection.
TRANSLATION
"After taste is awakened, a deep attachment arises, and from that attachment the seed of love for Krsna grows in the heart.
TEXT 13
TEXT
sei 'bhava' gadha haile dhare 'prema'-nama
sei prema 'prayojana' sarvananda-dhama
SYNONYMS
sei bhava--that emotional condition; gadha haile--when it becomes intensified; dhare--takes; prema-nama--the name love of Godhead; sei prema--that love of Godhead; prayojana--the ultimate goal of life; sarva-ananda-dhama--the reservoir of all pleasure.
TRANSLATION
"When that ecstatic emotional stage intensifies, it is called love of Godhead. Such love is life's ultimate goal and the reservoir of all pleasure.
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura summarizes this growth of love of Godhead as a gradual process. A person becomes interested in devotional service by some good fortune. Eventually he becomes interested in pure devotional service without material contamination. At that point, a person wants to associate with devotees. As a result of this association, he becomes more and more interested in discharging devotional service and hearing and chanting. The more one is interested in hearing and chanting, the more he is purified of material contamination. Liberation from material contamination is called anartha-nivrtti, indicating a diminishing of all unwanted things. This is the test of development in devotional service. If one actually develops the devotional attitude, he must be freed from the material contamination of illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating. These are the preliminary symptoms. When one is freed from all material contamination, his firm faith awakens in devotional service. When firm faith develops, a taste arises, and by that taste, one becomes attached to devotional service. When this attachment intensifies, the seed of love of Krsna fructifies. This position is called priti or rati (affection) or bhava (emotion). When rati intensifies, it is called love of Godhead. This love of Godhead is actually life's highest perfection and the reservoir of all pleasure.
Thus devotional life is divided into two stages-sadhana-bhakti and bhava-bhakti. Sadhana-bhakti refers to the development of devotional service through the regulative principles. The basic principle for the execution of devotional service is faith. Above that, there is association with devotees, and after that there is initiation by a bona fide spiritual master. After initiation, when one follows the regulative principles of devotional service, one becomes freed from all unwanted things. In this way one becomes firmly fixed and gradually develops a taste for devotional service. The more the taste grows, the more one desires to render service to the Lord. In this way one becomes attached to a particular mellow in the Lord's service-santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhura. As a result of such attachment, bhava develops. Bhava-bhakti is the platform of purified goodness. By such purified goodness, one's heart melts in devotional service. Bhava-bhakti is the first seed of love of Godhead. This emotional stage is there before one attains pure love. When that emotional stage intensifies, it is called prema-bhakti, or transcendental love of Godhead. This gradual process is also described in the following two verses found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.4.15-16).
TEXTS 14-15
TEXT
adau sraddha tatah sadhu-
sango 'tha bhajana-kriya
tato 'nartha-nivrttih syat
tato nistha rucis tatah
athasaktis tato bhavas
tatah premabhyudancati
sadhakanam ayam premnah
pradurbhave bhavet kramah
SYNONYMS
adau--in the beginning; sraddha--firm faith, or disinterest in material affairs and interest in spiritual advancement; tatah--thereafter; sadhu-sangah--association with pure devotees; atha--then; bhajana-kriya--performance of devotional service to Krsna (surrendering to the spiritual master and being encouraged by the association of devotees, so that initiation takes place); tatah--thereafter; anartha-nivrttih--the diminishing of all unwanted habits; syat--there should be; tatah--then; nistha--firm faith; rucih--taste; tatah--thereafter; atha--then; asaktih--attachment; tatah--then; bhavah--emotion of affection; tatah--thereafter; prema--love of God; abhyudancati--arises; sadhakanam--of the devotees practicing Krsna consciousness; ayam--this; premnah--of love of Godhead; pradurbhave--in the appearance; bhavet--is; kramah--the chronological order.
TRANSLATION
" 'In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sadhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Krsna consciousness.'
TEXT 16
TEXT
satam prasangan mama virya-samvido
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani
sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati
SYNONYMS
satam--of the devotees; prasangat--bu the intimate association; mama--of Me; virya-samvidah--talks full of spiritual potency; bhavanti--appear; hrt--to the heart; karna--and to the ears; rasa-ayanah--a source of sweetness; kathah--talks; tat--of them; josanat--from proper cultivation; asu--quickly; apavarga--of liberation; vartmani--on the path; sraddha--faith; ratih--attraction; bhaktih--love; anukramisyati--will follow one after another.
TRANSLATION
" 'The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental experience quickly opens to him, and gradually he attains firm faith that in due course develops into attraction and devotion.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.25.25).
TEXT 17
TEXT
yanhara hrdaye ei bhavankura haya
tanhate eteka cihna sarva-sastre kaya
SYNONYMS
yanhara--of whom; hrdaye--in the heart; ei--this; bhava-ankura--seed of emotion; haya--there is; tanhate--in him; eteka--these; cihna--symptoms; sarva-sastre--all revealed scriptures; kaya--say.
TRANSLATION
"If one actually has the seed of transcendental emotion in his heart, the symptoms will be visible in his activities. That is the verdict of all revealed scriptures.
TEXTS 18-19
TEXT
ksantir avyartha-kalatvam
viraktir mana-sunyata
asa-bandhah samutkantha
nama-gane sada rucih
asaktis tad-gunakhyane
pritis tad-vasati-sthale
ity adayo 'nubhavah syur
jata-bhavankure jane
SYNONYMS
ksantih--forgiveness; avyartha-kalatvam--being free from wasting time; viraktih--detachment; mana-sunyata--absence of false prestige; asa-bandhah--hope; samutkantha--eagerness; nama-gane--in chanting the Holy names; sada--always; rucih--taste; asaktih--attachment; tat--of Lord Krsna; guna-akhyane--in describing the transcendental qualities; pritih--affection; tat--His; vasati-sthale--in places of residence (the temple or holy places); iti--thus; adayah--and so on; anubhavah--the signs; syuh--are; jata--developed; bhava-ankure--whose seed of ecstatic emotion; jane--in a person.
TRANSLATION
" 'When the seed of ecstatic emotion for Krsna fructifies, the following nine symptoms manifest in one's behavior: forgiveness, concern that time should not be wasted, detachment, absence of false prestige, hope, eagerness, a taste for chanting the holy name of the Lord, attachment to descriptions of the transcendental qualities of the Lord, and affection for those places where the Lord resides-that is, a temple or a holy place like Vrndavana. 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.'
PURPORT
These two verses are found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.3.25-26).
TEXT 20
TEXT
ei nava prity-ankura yanra citte haya
prakrta-ksobhe tanra ksobha nahi haya
SYNONYMS
ei--this; nava--nine; priti-ankura--fructification of the seed of love; yanra--of whom; citte--in the mind; haya--there is; prakrta--material; ksobhe--in agitation; tanra--his; ksobha--agitation; nahi haya--there is not.
TRANSLATION
"If love for Krsna in a seedling state has fructified in one's heart, one is not agitated by material things.
TEXT 21
TEXT
tam mopayatam pratiyantu vipra
ganga ca devi dhrta-cittam ise
dvijopasrstah kuhakas taksako va
dasatv alam gayata visnu-gathah
SYNONYMS
tam--him; ma--me; upayatam--surrendered; pratiyantu--you may know; viprah--O brahmanas; ganga--mother Ganges; ca--and; devi--the demigoddess; dhrta--offered; cittam--whose mind; ise--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; dvija-upasrstah--created by the brahmana; kuhakah--some trickery; taksakah--snake-bird; va--or; dasatu--let it bite; alam--never mind; gayata--chant; visnu-gathah--the holy names of Lord Visnu.'
TRANSLATION
" 'O brahmanas, just accept me as a completely surrendered soul, and let mother Ganges, the representative of the Lord, also accept me in that way, for I have already taken the lotus feet of the Lord into my heart. Let the snakebird-or whatever magical thing the brahmana created-bite me at once. I only desire that you all continue singing the deeds of Lord Visnu.'
PURPORT
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.19.15) spoken by Maharaja Pariksit while he was sitting on the bank of the Ganges expecting to be bitten by a snakebird summoned by the curse of a brahmana boy named Srngi, who was the son of a great sage named Samika. News of the curse was conveyed to the King, who prepared for his imminent death. Many great saintly persons, sages, brahmanas, kings and demigods came to see him in his last days. Maharaja Pariksit, however, was not at all afraid of being bitten by the snake-bird. Indeed, he requested all the great personalities assembled to continue chanting the holy name of Lord Visnu.
TEXT 22
TEXT
krsna-sambandha vina kala vyartha nahi yaya
SYNONYMS
krsna-sambandha vina--without a connection with Krsna; kala--time; vyartha--useless; nahi yaya--does not become.
TRANSLATION
"Not a moment should be lost. Every moment should be utilized for Krsna or connected with Him.
PURPORT
Maharaja Pariksit's expression of anxiety is explained in this verse. He says, "Let whatever is destined to happen take place. It doesn't matter. Just let me see that not a moment of my time is wasted without a relationship with Krsna." One has to tolerate all obstacles on the path of Krsna consciousness, and one has to see that not a moment of his life is wasted outside of Krsna's service.
TEXT 23
TEXT
vagbhih stuvanto manasa smarantas
tanva namanto 'py anisam na trptah
bhaktah sravan-netra-jalah samagram
ayur harer eva samarpayanti
SYNONYMS
vagbhih--by words; stuvantah--offering prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; manasa--by the mind; smarantah--remembering; tanva--by the body; namantah--offering obeisances; api--although; anisam--all the time; na trptah--not satisfied; bhaktah--the devotees; sravat--shedding; netra-jalah--tears from the eyes; samagram--the whole; ayuh--life; hareh--to Krsna; eva--only; samarpayanti--dedicate.
TRANSLATION
" 'With their words, they offer prayers to the Lord. With their minds, they always remember the Lord. With their bodies, they offer obeisances to the Lord. Despite all these activities, they are still not satisfied. This is the nature of pure devotees. Shedding tears from their eyes, they dedicate their whole lives to the Lord's service.'
PURPORT
This verse from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.3.29).
TEXT 24
TEXT
bhukti, siddhi, indriyartha tare nahi bhaya
SYNONYMS
bhukti--material enjoyment; siddhi--mystic power; indriya-artha--the objects of the senses; tare--unto him; nahi bhaya--do not appeal.
TRANSLATION
"In the material field, people are interested in material enjoyment, mystic power and sense gratification. However, these things do not appeal to the devotee at all.
TEXT 25
TEXT
yo dustyajan dara-sutan
suhrd-rajyam hrdi sprsah
jahau yuvaiva malavad
uttamahsloka-lalasah
SYNONYMS
yah--who (Bharata Maharaja); dustyajan--difficult to give up; dara-sutan--wife and children; suhrt--friends; rajyam--kingdom; hrdi sprsah--dear to the core of the heart; jahau--gave up; yuva--youthful; eva--at that time; malavat--like stool; uttamah-sloka-lalasah--being captivated by the transcendental qualities, pastimes and association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
" 'King Bharata was very eager to attain the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, who is called uttama-sloka because poems and prayers are offered to Him for His favor. In his youth, King Bharata gave up his attractive wife and children, as well as his beloved friends and opulent kingdom, just as one gives up stool after passing it.'
PURPORT
These are the signs of virakti (detachment) found in a person who has developed bhava, the preliminary stage of love of Godhead; This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.14.43).
TEXT 26
TEXT
'sarvottama' apanake 'hina' kari mane
SYNONYMS
sarva-uttama--although standing above all; apanake--himself; hina kari--as the lowest; mane--considers.
TRANSLATION
"Although a pure devotee's standard is above all, he still considers himself to be in the lowest stage of life.
TEXT 27
TEXT
harau ratim vahann esa
narendranam sikhamanih
bhiksam atann ari-pure
sva-pakam api vandate
SYNONYMS
harau--toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ratim--affection; vahan--carrying; esah--this one; nara-indranam--of all the kings; sikha-manih--brilliant crown jewel; bhiksam--begging alms; atan--wandering for; ari-pure--even in the city of enemies; sva-pakam--the fifth-grade candalas; api--even; vandate--worships.
TRANSLATION
" 'Bharata Maharaja always carried affection for Krsna within his heart. Although Bharata Maharaja was the crown jewel of kings, he was still wandering about and begging alms in the city of his enemies. He was even offering respects to candalas, low-class men who eat dogs.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Padma Purana.
TEXT 28
TEXT
'krsna krpa karibena'----drdha kari' jane
SYNONYMS
krsna--Lord Krsna; krpa karibena--will show His mercy; drdha kari'--making firm; jane--he believes.
TRANSLATION
"A fully surrendered devotee always hopes that Lord Krsna will be kind to him. This hope is very firm in him.
TEXT 29
TEXT
na prema sravanadi-bhaktir api va yogo 'thava vaisnavo
jnanam va subha-karma va kiyad aho saj-jatir apy asti va
hinarthadhika-sadhake tvayi tathapy acchedya-mula sati
he gopi-jana-vallabha vyathayate ha ha mad-asaiva mam
SYNONYMS
na--not; prema--love of Godhead; sravana-adi--consisting of chanting, hearing and so on; bhaktih--devotional service; api--also; va--or; yogah--the power of mystic yoga; athava--or; vaisnavah--befitting a devotee; jnanam--knowledge; va--or; subha-karma--pious activities; va--or; kiyat--a little; aho--O my Lord; sat-jatih--birth in a good family; api--even; asti--there is; va--or; hina-artha-adhika-sadhake--who bestows greater benedictions upon one who is fallen and possesses no good qualities; tvayi--unto You; tathapi--still; acchedya-mula--whose root is uncuttable; sati--being; he--O; gopi-jana-vallabha--most dear friend of the gopis; vyathayate--gives pain; ha ha--alas; mat--my; asa--hope; eva--certainly; mam--to me.
TRANSLATION
" 'O my Lord, I do not have any love for You, nor am I qualified for discharging devotional service by chanting and hearing. Nor do I possess the mystic power of a Vaisnava, knowledge or pious activities. Nor do I belong to a very high-caste family. On the whole, I do not possess anything. Still, O beloved of the gopis, because You bestow Your mercy on the most fallen, I have an unbreakable hope that is constantly in my heart. That hope is always giving me pain.'
PURPORT
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.3.35).
TEXT 30
TEXT
samutkantha haya sada lalasa-pradhana
SYNONYMS
samutkantha--eagerness; haya--is; sada--always; lalasa--ardent desire; pradhana--chiefly characterized by.
TRANSLATION
"This eagerness is chiefly characterized by an ardent desire to associate with the Lord.
TEXT 31
TEXT
tvac-chaisavam tri-bhuvanadbhutam ity avehi
mac-capalam ca tava va mama vadhigamyam
tat kim karomi viralam murali-vilasi
mugdham mukhambujam udiksitum iksanabhyam
SYNONYMS
tvat--Your; saisavam--early age; tri-bhuvana--within the three worlds; adbhutam--wonderful; iti--thus; avehi--know; mat-capalam--My unsteadiness; ca--and; tava--of You; va--or; mama--of Me; va--or; adhigamyam--to bu understood; tat--that; kim--what; karomi--I do; viralam--in solitude; murali-vilasi--O player of the flute; mugdham--attractive; mukha-ambujam--lotuslike face; udiksitum--to see sufficiently; iksanabhyam--by the eyes.
TRANSLATION
" 'O Krsna, O flute player, the sweetness of Your early age is wonderful within these three worlds. You know My unsteadiness, and I know Yours. No one else knows about this. I want to see Your beautiful, attractive face somewhere in a solitary place, but how can this be accomplished?'
PURPORT
This is a verse from Krsna-karnamrta (32).
TEXT 32
TEXT
nama-gane sada ruci, laya krsna-nama
SYNONYMS
nama-gane--in chanting the holy names; sada--constantly; ruci--taste,relish; laya--takes; krsna-nama--the Hare Krsna mantra.
TRANSLATION
"Due to having great relish for the holy name, one is inclined to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra constantly.
TEXT 33
TEXT
rodana-bindu-maranda-syandi-
drg-indivaradya govinda
tava madhura-svara-kanthi
gayati namavalim bala
SYNONYMS
rodana-bindu--with teardrops; maranda--like the nectar or juice of flowers; syandi--pouring; drk-indivara--whose lotus eyes; adya--today; govinda--O my Lord Govinda; tava--Your; madhura-svara-kanthi--who has a very sweet voice; gayati--sings; nama-avalim--holy names; bala--this young girl (Radhika).
TRANSLATION
" 'O Govinda, this youthful girl named Radhika is today constantly pouring forth tears like nectar falling from flowers. She is also singing Your holy name in a sweet voice.'
PURPORT
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.3.38).
TEXT 34
TEXT
krsna-gunakhyane haya sarvada asakti
SYNONYMS
krsna-guna-akhyane--in describing the transcendental qualities of Krsna; haya--there is; sarvada--always; asakti--attachment.
TRANSLATION
"At this stage of bhava, a devotee has awakened the tendency to chant and describe the transcendental qualities of the Lord. He has attachment for this process.
TEXT 35
TEXT
madhuram madhuram vapur asya vibhor
madhuram madhuram vadanam madhuram
madhu-gandhi mrdu-smitam etad aho
madhuram madhuram madhuram madhuram
SYNONYMS
madhuram--sweet; madhuram--sweet; vapuh--the transcendental form; asya--His; vibhoh--of the Lord; madhuram--sweet; madhuram--sweet; vadanam--face; madhuram--more sweet; madhu-gandhi--the fragrance of honey; mrdu-smitam--soft smiling; etat--this; aho--oh; madhuram--sweet; madhuram--sweet; madhuram--sweet; madhuram--still more sweet.
TRANSLATION
" 'O my Lord, the transcendental body of Krsna is very sweet, and His face is even sweeter than His body. The soft smile on His face, which is like the fragrance of honey, is sweeter still.'
PURPORT
This is a verse quoted from Bilvamangala Thakura's Krsna-karnamrta (92).
TEXT 36
TEXT
krsna-lila-sthane kare sarvada vasati
SYNONYMS
krsna-lila-sthane--in the place where Krsna has His pastimes; kare--makes; sarvada--always; vasati--abode.
TRANSLATION
"A devotee absorbed in ecstatic emotion for Krsna always resides in a place where Krsna's pastimes were performed.
TEXT 37
TEXT
kadaham yamuna-tire
namani tava kirtayan
udbaspah pundarikaksa
racayisyami tandavam
SYNONYMS
kada--when; aham--I; yamuna-tire--on the bank of the Yamuna; namani--holy names; tava--Your; kirtayan--chanting; udbaspah--full of tears; pundarika-aksa--O lotus-eyed one; racayisyami--I shall create; tandavam--dancing like a madman.
TRANSLATION
" 'O Lord Pundarikaksa, while chanting Your holy name with tears in my eyes, when shall I dance in ecstasy on the bank of the Yamuna?'
PURPORT
This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.156).
TEXT 38
TEXT
krsne 'ratira' cihna ei kailun vivarana
'krsna-premera' cihna ebe suna sanatana
SYNONYMS
krsne--for Krsna; ratira--of attraction; cihna--the symptoms; ei--all these; kailun vivarana--I have described; krsna-premera--of love for Lord Krsna; cihna--the symptoms; ebe--now; suna sanatana--please hear, Sanatana.
TRANSLATION
"These are the symptoms of a person who has developed attraction [bhava] for Krsna. Now let me describe the symptoms of a person who is actually elevated to love of Krsna. O Sanatana, please hear this from Me.
TEXT 39
TEXT
yanra citte krsna-prema karaye udaya
tanra vakya, kriya, mudra vijneha na bujhaya
SYNONYMS
yanra citte--in whose heart; krsna-prema--love of Krsna; karaye udaya--awakens; tanra--his; vakya--words; kriya--activities; mudra--symptoms; vijneha--even a learned scholar; na bujhaya--does not understand.
TRANSLATION
"Even the most learned man cannot understand the words, activities and symptoms of a person situated in love of Godhead.
TEXT 40
TEXT
dhanyasyayam nava-prema
yasyonmilati cetasi
antarvanibhir apy asya
mudra susthu sudurgama
SYNONYMS
dhanyasya--of a most fortunate person; ayam--this; navah--new; prema--love of Godhead; yasya--of whom; unmilati--manifests; cetasi--in the heart; antarvanibhih--by persons well versed in sastras; api--even; asya--of him; mudra--symptoms; susthu--exceedingly; sudurgama--difficult to understand.
TRANSLATION
" 'Even a most learned scholar cannot understand the activities and symptoms of an exalted personality in whose heart love of Godhead has awakened.'
PURPORT
This verse is also found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.4.17).
TEXT 41
TEXT
evamvratah sva-priya-nama-kirtya
jatanurago druta-citta uccaih
hasaty atho roditi rauti gayaty
unmadavan nrtyati loka-bahyah
SYNONYMS
evam-vratah--when one thus engages in a vow to chant and dance; sva--own; priya--very dear; nama--the holy name; kirtya--by chanting; jata--in this way develops; anuragah--attachment; druta-cittah--very eagerly; uccaih--loudly; hasati--laughs; atho--also; roditi--cries; rauti--becomes agitated; gayati--chants; unmada-vat--like a madman; nrtyati--dances; loka-bahyah--not caring for outsiders.
TRANSLATION
" 'When a person is actually advanced and takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is very dear to him, he is agitated and loudly chants the holy name. He also laughs, cries, becomes agitated and chants just like a madman, not caring for outsiders.'
PURPORT
This verse is quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.40).
TEXT 42
TEXT
prema krame badi' haya----sneha, mana, pranaya
raga, anuraga, bhava, mahabhava haya
SYNONYMS
prema--love of God; krame--gradually; badi'--increasing; haya--is; sneha--affection; mana--indignation due to affection; pranaya--love; raga--attachment; anuraga--subattachment; bhava--ecstasy; maha-bhava--exalted ecstasy; haya--is.
TRANSLATION
"Love of Godhead increases and is manifest as affection, counter-love, love, attachment, subattachment, ecstasy and sublime ecstasy.
TEXT 43
TEXT
bija, iksu, rasa, guda tabe khanda-sara
sarkara, sita-michari, suddha-michari ara
SYNONYMS
bija--seeds; iksu--sugarcane plants; rasa--juice; guda--molasses; tabe--then; khanda-sara--crude sugar; sarkara--sugar; sita-michari--sugar candy; suddha-michari--rock candy; ara--also.
TRANSLATION
"This development is compared to sugarcane seeds, sugarcane plants, sugarcane juice, molasses, crude sugar, refined sugar, sugar candy and rock candy.
TEXT 44
TEXT
iha yaiche krame nirmala, krame bade svada
rati-premadira taiche badaye asvada
SYNONYMS
iha--this; yaiche--like; krame--by succession; nirmala--pure; krame--gradually; bade--increases; svada--taste; rati--from attachment; prema-adira--of love of Godhead and so on; taiche--in that way; badaye--increases; asvada--taste.
TRANSLATION
"Just as the taste of sugar increases as it is gradually purified, one should understand that when love of Godhead increases from rati, which is compared to the beginning seed, its taste increases.
TEXT 45
TEXT
adhikari-bhede rati----panca parakara
santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, madhura ara
SYNONYMS
adhikari--of possessor; bhede--according to differences; rati--attachment; panca parakara--five varieties; santa--neutral; dasya--servitude; sakhya--friendship; vatsalya--paternal love; madhura--conjugal love; ara--also.
TRANSLATION
"According to the candidate possessing these transcendental qualities [sneha, mana and so on], there are five transcendental mellows-neutrality, servitorship, friendship, parental love and conjugal love.
In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, rati (attraction) is thus described:
vyaktam masrnitevantar-
laksyate rati-laksanam
mumuksu-prabhrtinam ced
bhaved esa ratir na hi
kintu bala-camatkara-
kari tac-cihna-viksaya
abhijnena subodho 'yam
raty-abhasah prakirtitah
The real symptoms of the fructification of the seed of love (rati) are manifest because the heart is melted. When such symptoms are found among speculators and fruitive actors, they cannot be accepted as real symptoms of attachment. Foolish people without knowledge of devotional service praise such symptoms of attachment even when they are based on something other than a desire to serve Krsna. However, one who is expert in devotional service calls such symptoms rati-abhasa, a mere glimpse of attachment.
TEXT 46
TEXT
ei panca sthayi bhava haya panca 'rasa'
ye-rase bhakta 'sukhi', krsna haya 'vasa'
SYNONYMS
ei panca--these five kinds of transcendental mellow; sthayi bhava--permanent ecstatic moods; haya--become; panca rasa--five kinds of transcendental mellow; ye-rase--in a particular mellow; bhakta sukhi--a devotee becomes happy; krsna--Lord Krsna; haya--becomes; vasa--under the control.
TRANSLATION
"These five transcendental mellows exist permanently. The devotee may be attracted to one of these mellows, and thus he becomes happy. Krsna also becomes inclined toward such a devotee and comes under his control.
PURPORT
In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, sthayi-bhava, permanent ecstasy, is thus described:
aviruddhan viruddhams ca
bhavan yo vasatam nayan
su-rajeva virajeta
sa sthayi bhava ucyate
sthayi bhavo 'tra sa proktah
sri-krsna-visaya ratih
These moods (bhavas) bring under control the favorable ecstasies (such as laughing) and unfavorable ecstasies (such as anger). When these continue to remain as kings, they are called sthayi-bhava, or permanent ecstasies. Continuous ecstatic love for Krsna is called permanent ecstasy.
TEXT 47
TEXT
premadika sthayi-bhava samagri-milane
krsna-bhakti rasa-rupe paya pariname
SYNONYMS
prema-adika--love of Godhead, b