Sriman-Mahâprabhu has thus instructed Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd –

“We can classify rati into five types depending on the class of the devotees –

1. shânta rati – for shânta devotees
2. dâsya rati – for devotees in servitude
3. sakhya rati – for the devotees in friendly mood
4. vâtsalya rati – for the devotees in the parental mood
5. madhur rati – for the devotees in conjugal mood

Hence there are five types of ras – shânta, dâsya, sakhya, vâtsalya and madhur. These five ras are the chief amongst all the ras present in Sri Krishna-bhakti.”

– (C.C. Madhya.19.157-159)

There are some more ras other than these five ras. They are hâsya – laughter (humor), adbhut – extraordinary, veer – velour, karun – sad, roudra – anger, vibhatsa – horror, bhaya – terror. These seven ras are secondary .The devotee can be situated in any of the five primary ras – that is – he may be in the mood of a servant, parent etc. Then, due to some reason, these seven ras may enter his heart like a guest and when the cause is removed, these ras too take their leave. Shânta etc. are permanent ras. They remain always in the particular devotee’s heart. For example, there is a sad situation. Then a devotee feels karun ras. When the sorrowful situation disappears, the karun ras too vanishes. Same is the case with hâsya ras (laughter) etc. We should remember that the five principal ras n ever leave a devotee situated in that ras.

“The five primary ras are permanent in a devotee. The seven other ras are secondary. They come and go like strangers.” – (C.C.Madhya.19.161)

The seven secondary ras appear and disappear in the dear associates of Sri Bhagavân. They are the ‘sanchâri’ or passing moods. Hence we shall not discuss them here. Rather, let us learn in detail about the primary ras. Those devotees, who wish to study the seven secondary ras in detail, are requested to read the ‘Uttar-part’ of Bhakti-Rasâmrita-Sindhu.

(to be contd…)