Srila Bhatta Goswâmipâd has written that Sripâd Lilâshuk is so full of love and anxiety that he has become intolerant of everything that is not connected to Krishna. Hence, in this verse he is praying to immerse his mind in the nectarine ocean of Sri Krishna Chandra. May my mind be immersed in the flood of joy! A single drop of that joyful ocean is capable of drowning the entire creation; in comparison, a sâdhak is very insignificant in deed. ‘Anuplavatam’ means – “may my mind be immersed in it again and again”.

The question may arise – “Since this joy is as vast as an ocean, is it the same as the bliss of attaining Brahman?” The poet answers – “No. It is mâdhurya – vâridhi – mad ambu taranga –  bhangi – shringâra – sankulita – shita – kishora – vesham” which means, “This joy is the soothing Kishor–form that is a panacea for every ailment – this joy is the One Who is bejewelled with the agitated waves of maadhurya-vaaridhi¹; therefore it is higher.”

Sweetness is synonymous with that which attracts the mind. Sweetness is that which we can relish, but cannot express in words. In principle, although Sri Nârâyan and Sri Krishna are non-different, Sri Krishna has greater amount of ras. Ras is a property of sweetness, so ras and sweetness are one and the same. Realising sweetness amounts to the realisation of ras.

(to be continued)