The essence of bhakti rasa is wondrous happiness (camatkāri sukham)
Bhakti rasa is a state of camatkāri sukham.
Steps in experience of bhakti rasa
We continue our discussion of rasa by examining the steps through which it manifests and is experienced.
The definition of rasa, part II
Continuing our discussion of rasa, we now examine vyabhicāri bhāva, which is also called sañcari bhāva. The word vyabhicāri = vi+abhi+car (car is a verbal root or dhātu meaning ‘move’). The definition of this bhāva is as follows: viśeṣeṇa abhimukhena caritam śilam yasya sa vyabhicāri: [that bhāva] which […]
The case for belief in Kṛṣṇa
The new atheism movement is on the upswing. Thinkers like Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett have made a clear and logical case for atheism. Religious belief is on a decline in the developed countries. Anyone with even a basic education knows that the people in the past did […]
The definition of rasa, part I
Sri Rupa Goswami analyzes bhakti-rasa or the relish of bhakti in great detail. Indeed, his book is titled Bhakti-rasa-amṛta sindhu – the ocean of the nectar of bhakti-rasa. In this article, we examine the concept of ‘rasa’. How rasa becomes manifest is explained in a sutra by Bharata […]
Comparison between vaidhī and rāgānugā bhakti
In vaidhī bhakti, we have seen that the adhikāra is śāstriya śraddha. Sri Rupa Goswami explains that in rāgānugā bhakti, the intense desire to get the bhāva like the rāgātmikā bhaktas is the adhikāra. This desire comes from hearing Kṛṣṇa kathā relating to the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa and […]
Understanding the Bhagavad Gītā
The Bhagavad Gītā is an amazing book for many reasons. One reason is that it is amazingly difficult to understand.
Summary of definitions of uttamā bhakti and its divisions
Here we summarize uttamā bhakti, its divisions and the definitions which were discussed in previous articles. uttamā bhakti is defined as continuous service directed favorably towards Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. It should be devoid of all material desires and not covered by desire for brahma-sāyujya mukti, and/or faith in […]
Śrī Rūpa Goswami explains rāgānugā bhakti
We examine Sri Rupa Goswami’s definition of raganunga bhakti.
The principles of vraja-bhakti
There is a beautiful kārikā by Śrī Śrīnāth Cakravarti which captures the principles of vraja-bhakti and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mood. We examine this kārikā below. ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeṣa tanayaḥ tad-dhāma vṛndāvanam ramyā kācit upāsanā vraja vadhu vargeṇa ya kalpitā Śrīmad Bhāgavatam pramāṇam amalam prema pumartho mahān Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhor matamidam […]
Q/A: about women
Maharajji answers questions in Śrī Guru Darśanam, p 505 Question: In Caitanya Caritāmṛta in the purport, it is mentioned that Mahāprabhu had three and a half confidential associates (CC Adi 10.137: “Caitanya Mahāprabhu had three and a half very confidential devotees. The three were Svarūpa Gosāñi, Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya, and Śikhi Māhiti. Śikhi Māhiti’s younger […]
Spiritual form follows function
In the spiritual world, form follows function. This is true of everyone- including Kṛṣṇa’s associates
