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  यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः । तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥ ९ ॥ yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samācara   Synonyms yajña-arthāt — done only for the sake of Yajña, or … Read More

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE Perverted Expression of Mellows Rasābhāsa, or incompatible mixtures of mellows, may be classified as uparasa (false expression), anurasa (imitation) and aparasa (perverted or misrepresented mellows). There is the following statement by an impersonalist who … Read More

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE Mixing of Rasas As already described, there are twelve different kinds of rasas, or ecstatic relationships that are shared with Kṛṣṇa. Five of these rasas are direct, and they are listed as neutrality, servitude, … Read More

GHASTLINESS It is understood from authoritative sources that an attachment for Kṛṣṇa because of feelings of disgust sometimes presents a ghastly ecstasy in devotional service. The person experiencing such ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa is almost always … Read More

ANGER In ecstatic loving service to Kṛṣṇa in anger, Kṛṣṇa is always the object. In Vidagdha-mādhava, second act, verse 37, Lalitā-gopī expressed her anger, which was caused by Kṛṣṇa, when she addressed Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī thus: “My … Read More

CHIVALRY When on account of love and devotional service for the Lord there is special valorous enthusiasm, the resultant activities are called chivalrous. These chivalrous activities can be manifested in the acts of mock fighting, giving … Read More

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE Laughing Ecstasy In the fourth division of Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has described seven kinds of indirect ecstasies of devotional service, known as laughing, astonishment, chivalry, compassion, anger, dread and ghastliness. In this portion, … Read More

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR Devotional Service In Conjugal Love A pure devotee’s attraction to Kṛṣṇa in conjugal love is called devotional service in conjugal love. Although such conjugal feelings are not at all material, there is some similarity … Read More

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE Parenthood When ecstatic love develops into the relationship of parenthood and becomes steadily established, the relationship is called vātsalya-rasa. The exhibition of this vātsalya-rasa standard of devotional service can be found in the dealings … Read More

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO Fraternal Loving Affairs Kṛṣṇa’s age, His beauty, His bugle, His flute, His conch shell and His pleasing attitude all provoke love in friendship for Him. His exceptional joking abilities, exhibited sometimes by His pretending … Read More

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE Fraternal Devotion When a devotee is permanently situated in devotional service, and by different symptoms of ecstasy he has developed and matured a fraternal mellow or flavor in relationship with the Personality of Godhead, … Read More

CHAPTER FORTY Reverential Devotion of Sons and Other Subordinates True reverential devotion is exhibited by persons who think themselves subordinate to Kṛṣṇa and by persons who think themselves sons of Kṛṣṇa. The best examples of this … Read More

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE Ways of Meeting Kṛṣṇa When Kṛṣṇa and His devotees meet, the meeting is technically called yoga, or linking up with the Lord. Such meetings between Kṛṣṇa and His devotees can be divided into three … Read More

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT Indifference and Separation The great devotee Uddhava once wrote a letter to Kṛṣṇa, “My dear Kṛṣṇa, I have just finished the study of all kinds of philosophical books and Vedic verses about the goal … Read More

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN Impetuses for Kṛṣṇa’s Service The causeless mercy of Kṛṣṇa, the dust of His lotus feet, His prasāda and association with His devotees are some impetuses toward a devotee’s engagement in transcendental loving service to … Read More

FOLLOWERS OF THE LORD Those who are constantly engaged in the personal service of the Lord are called anugas, or followers. Examples of such followers are Sucandra, Maṇḍana, Stamba and Sutamba. They are all inhabitants of … Read More

CONSTANT ASSOCIATES In the city of Dvārakā the following devotees are known as Kṛṣṇa’s close associates: Uddhava, Dāruka, Sātyaki, Śrutadeva, Śatrujit, Nanda, Upananda and Bhadra. All of these personalities remain with the Lord as His secretaries, … Read More

DEVOTEES UNDER THE PROTECTION AND SHELTER OF THE LORD One resident of Vṛndāvana once told Lord Kṛṣṇa, “My dear Kṛṣṇa, O pleasure of Vṛndāvana! Being afraid of this material existence, we have taken shelter of You, … Read More

APPOINTED SERVANTS In a conversation between Jāmbavatī, one of Kṛṣṇa’s wives, and Kālindī, her friend, Jāmbavatī inquired, “Who is this personality circumambulating our Kṛṣṇa?” Kālindī replied, “She is Ambikā, the superintendent of all universal affairs.” Then … Read More

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Transcendental Affection (Servitude) The transcendental mellow of affection has been accepted by authorities like Śrīdhara Svāmī as a perfectional stage of devotion. It is just above the humor of neutrality and is a requisite … Read More