Sakhya-bhakti-ras

 

“The devotees in friendly mood has three characteristics –

1. the qualities of the shânta devotee
2. the sevâ performed by the servants
3. The mood of non-difference is very strong in a sakhâ and the friend is devoid of awe and reverence.

A sakhâ climbs on Sri Krishna’s shoulders and also lets Him climb on his; he plays as well as fights with Him. He serves Sri Krishna and takes service from Him¹. He loves Sri Krishna more than the shânta-devotee and the devotee in the mood of servitude. He considers Sri Krishna as non-different from Himself. In this manner the friend subjugates Sri Krishna. Hence you can recognize sakhya-ras by the three above characteristics.” – (C.C.Madhya.19.181-184)

Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd has termed sakhya-bhakti-ras as ‘preyo-bhakti-ras’ (preyo = dear, loving).

“When two friends are nearly equal, they feel non-different from one another. They are devoid of awe and reverence. We call this relation as ‘sakhya’. They are in the mood of ‘vishrambha’. ‘Vishrambha’ means very deep faith that lacks hesitation of any sort.” – (B.R.S.)

Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd has described Sri Krishna Who is the subject of love in sakhya ras, as follows –

“Shyâmsundar is well-dressed, has all good qualities, He is strong, speaks so many extraordinary languages and is an expert at well-articulated speech. He is extremely learned, exceptionally talented, highly capable and kind. He is bravest of all, witty, intelligent and forgiving. Sri Krishna loves all and is loved by everyone. He is upbeat, joyful and great to be around with.”

All these qualities are arousing ras in the devotees belonging to the friendly mood.

“The sakhâs are the shelter (âshray) of this ras and they look handsome like Sri Krishna. They even dress like Him. Unlike the servants, they do not have the slightest inkling of hesitation. They only have very firm faith in Sri Krishna.”

– (B.R.S.)

Arjun, Bhimsen, the brahmin Shridâm are Sri Krishna’s friends in Dwârakâ. Amongst them, Arjun is the closest. However, if we take all His friends into account², then the sakhâs of Vraja are the topmost. They are the closest. How are these sakhâs?

“They are overcome with extreme grief if they don’t see Shyâmsundar for just one moment. They want to play with Him always and Sri Krishna is their life and soul. Such are His Brijwâsi-sakhâs. They are the greatest of all His friends.”

– (B.R.S.)

Sri Krishna’s Vraja-sakhâs are of four types –

1. suhrit (companions)– These boys are slightly older to Sri Krishna. They hold weapons and are always trying to protect Him from bad men. E.g. – Subhadra, Mandalibhadra, Bhadra-vardhan, Gobhat, Indrabhat, Bhadrânga, Veerbhadra, Mahâgun, Vijay, Balabhadra etc.

1. sakhâ (friends)– These friends are younger to Him and like to serve Him. Although they are definitely in the sakhya-mood, they have a whiff of dâsya-ras about them – They look up to Sri Krishna. Their names are as follows – Vishâl, Vrishabh, Ojaswi, Devaprastha, Varuthapa, Maranda, Kusumâpeeda, Manibandha, Karandham etc.

1. priya-sakhâ (dear friends)– They are equal to Sri Krishna in age and are in pure sakhya-ras. E.g. Shridâm, Sudâm³, Dâm, Vasudâm, Kinkini, Stoka-Krishna, Amshu, Bhadrasen, Vilâsi, Pundarik, Vitanka, Kalavinka etc. These sakhâs please Sri Krishna by indulging in various friendly sports with Him. They have fisticuff-fights and stick-fights with Him. They joke and play pranks. Thus they give pleasure to Sri Krishna. Shridâm is the topmost in this category.

1. priya-narma-sakhâ (bosom friends)– They are greater than the suhrit, sakhâ and priya-sakhâ. They have a special bhâv. Their bhâv is laced with sakhi-bhâv. They help Sri Krishna to unite with the sweethearts. They are engaged in confidential services such as carrying messages between the lovers and helping in secret meetings. Therefore we call them priya-narma-sakhâs. E.g. Subal, Arjun⁴, Gandharva, Vasanta, Ujjwal, Mandhumangal etc. Amongst them, Subal and Ujjwal are the closest to Sri Krishna.

What causes sakhya–ras to arise ?

Sri Krishna’s age, beauty, flute, cow-horn (a type of musical instrument), jokes, witty repartees, talents, the way He mimics kings and the incarnations of God.

Visible symptoms or activities of a devotee in sakhya-ras are as follows – wrestling, playing throw-ball, dice-game and various other boyish sports.

The silent activities (sâtvic) are – stupefaction, perspiration.

The passing bhâvs are laughter etc.

Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd has explained with a concrete example –

“Mukunda looked as handsome as a mass of cloud illuminated by the star ‘Swâti’. When He loudly commenced the festival of sports by blowing wetly, yet forcefully into the enchanting flute, there was a shower of jubilation all around. In this joy, Shridâm’s body, that resembled an exquisite pearl-oyster, expressed little droplets of perspiration that gleamed like pearls.” – (B.R.S. 3.3.98)⁵

The vibhâvs (cause of ras) are as follows –

• Sthâyi-bhâv – the passionate mood called ‘vishrambha’ which exists only in Vraja
• The subject of love – Sri Krishna
• The shelter of love – Shridâm
• What excites ras – the song of the flute

Anubhâv – activities expressed by the devotee – boyish-sports

Sâtvic – perspiration

Passing bhâvs – joy, playfulness

The Mahâjan has thus described the sakhya–ras –

“jamunâr tire kânâi shridâmere loiyâ,

mâthâmâthi ron kore shrama-jukto hoiyâ.

prakhar robir tâpe shukâilo mukh,

dekhi shob sakhâgoner mone hoilo duhkh.

aar nâ khelibo bhâi cholo jâi ghare,

sakâle jâite mâ kohiyâchhe shobâre.

molin hoilo kânâi mukhâni tomâr,

dekhiyâ bidore hiyâ âmâ shobâkâr.

beli abasân hoilo cholo ghare jâi,

ithe balaraam dur bone gelo gâi.”

Meaning – “Kânâi locked horns with Shridâm on the banks of the Yamunâ and both of them fought vigorously – so much so – that they were bathed with perspiration from head to toe. The scorching heat of the sun burnt Sri Krishna’s face. When the sakhâs saw this they were overcome with grief. (They love Him so much!!) Out of concern for Him, they stopped the game and said – “We shall not play any more, brothers, come, let’s go home”. In stead of revealing the true reason for wanting to return, they simply said – “Mother Yashomati has told all of us to go home early today. Why, my dear Kânâi, Your face has turned so pale!! Our hearts are bleeding, seeing You thus!! Anyway, the sun is about to set, come, let’s go home. Look, Balarâm has gone far and the cows too have wandered deep into the forest – if we wait any longer, it will get dark, and then, how will we collect them?” (This implies that – Kamsa’s emissaries may attack us any moment. Then what will we do? Since Balarâm, Who can protect us, too has gone far. Once again, this proves the lack of ‘aishwarya-gyân’ in the Vraja-sakhâs.)

normal;”>“The devotees in friendly mood has three characteristics –

1. the qualities of the shânta devotee
2. the sevâ performed by the servants
3. The mood of non-difference is very strong in a sakhâ and the friend is devoid of awe and reverence.

A sakhâ climbs on Sri Krishna’s shoulders and also lets Him climb on his; he plays as well as fights with Him. He serves Sri Krishna and takes service from Him¹. He loves Sri Krishna more than the shânta-devotee and the devotee in the mood of servitude. He considers Sri Krishna as non-different from Himself. In this manner the friend subjugates Sri Krishna. Hence you can recognize sakhya-ras by the three above characteristics.” – (C.C.Madhya.19.181-184)

Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd has termed sakhya-bhakti-ras as ‘preyo-bhakti-ras’ (preyo = dear, loving).

“When two friends are nearly equal, they feel non-different from one another. They are devoid of awe and reverence. We call this relation as ‘sakhya’. They are in the mood of ‘vishrambha’. ‘Vishrambha’ means very deep faith that lacks hesitation of any sort.” – (B.R.S.)

Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd has described Sri Krishna Who is the subject of love in sakhya ras, as follows –

“Shyâmsundar is well-dressed, has all good qualities, He is strong, speaks so many extraordinary languages and is an expert at well-articulated speech. He is extremely learned, exceptionally talented, highly capable and kind. He is bravest of all, witty, intelligent and forgiving. Sri Krishna loves all and is loved by everyone. He is upbeat, joyful and great to be around with.”

All these qualities are arousing ras in the devotees belonging to the friendly mood.

“The sakhâs are the shelter (âshray) of this ras and they look handsome like Sri Krishna. They even dress like Him. Unlike the servants, they do not have the slightest inkling of hesitation. They only have very firm faith in Sri Krishna.”

– (B.R.S.)

Arjun, Bhimsen, the brahmin Shridâm are Sri Krishna’s friends in Dwârakâ. Amongst them, Arjun is the closest. However, if we take all His friends into account², then the sakhâs of Vraja are the topmost. They are the closest. How are these sakhâs?

“They are overcome with extreme grief if they don’t see Shyâmsundar for just one moment. They want to play with Him always and Sri Krishna is their life and soul. Such are His Brijwâsi-sakhâs. They are the greatest of all His friends.”

– (B.R.S.)

Sri Krishna’s Vraja-sakhâs are of four types –

1. suhrit (companions)– These boys are slightly older to Sri Krishna. They hold weapons and are always trying to protect Him from bad men. E.g. – Subhadra, Mandalibhadra, Bhadra-vardhan, Gobhat, Indrabhat, Bhadrânga, Veerbhadra, Mahâgun, Vijay, Balabhadra etc.

1. sakhâ (friends)– These friends are younger to Him and like to serve Him. Although they are definitely in the sakhya-mood, they have a whiff of dâsya-ras about them – They look up to Sri Krishna. Their names are as follows – Vishâl, Vrishabh, Ojaswi, Devaprastha, Varuthapa, Maranda, Kusumâpeeda, Manibandha, Karandham etc.

1. priya-sakhâ (dear friends)– They are equal to Sri Krishna in age and are in pure sakhya-ras. E.g. Shridâm, Sudâm³, Dâm, Vasudâm, Kinkini, Stoka-Krishna, Amshu, Bhadrasen, Vilâsi, Pundarik, Vitanka, Kalavinka etc. These sakhâs please Sri Krishna by indulging in various friendly sports with Him. They have fisticuff-fights and stick-fights with Him. They joke and play pranks. Thus they give pleasure to Sri Krishna. Shridâm is the topmost in this category.

1. priya-narma-sakhâ (bosom friends)– They are greater than the suhrit, sakhâ and priya-sakhâ. They have a special bhâv. Their bhâv is laced with sakhi-bhâv. They help Sri Krishna to unite with the sweethearts. They are engaged in confidential services such as carrying messages between the lovers and helping in secret meetings. Therefore we call them priya-narma-sakhâs. E.g. Subal, Arjun⁴, Gandharva, Vasanta, Ujjwal, Mandhumangal etc. Amongst them, Subal and Ujjwal are the closest to Sri Krishna.

What causes sakhya–ras to arise ?

Sri Krishna’s age, beauty, flute, cow-horn (a type of musical instrument), jokes, witty repartees, talents, the way He mimics kings and the incarnations of God.

Visible symptoms or activities of a devotee in sakhya-ras are as follows – wrestling, playing throw-ball, dice-game and various other boyish sports.

The silent activities (sâtvic) are – stupefaction, perspiration.

The passing bhâvs are laughter etc.

Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd has explained with a concrete example –

“Mukunda looked as handsome as a mass of cloud illuminated by the star ‘Swâti’. When He loudly commenced the festival of sports by blowing wetly, yet forcefully into the enchanting flute, there was a shower of jubilation all around. In this joy, Shridâm’s body, that resembled an exquisite pearl-oyster, expressed little droplets of perspiration that gleamed like pearls.” – (B.R.S. 3.3.98)⁵

The vibhâvs (cause of ras) are as follows –

• Sthâyi-bhâv – the passionate mood called ‘vishrambha’ which exists only in Vraja
• The subject of love – Sri Krishna
• The shelter of love – Shridâm
• What excites ras – the song of the flute

Anubhâv – activities expressed by the devotee – boyish-sports

Sâtvic – perspiration

Passing bhâvs – joy, playfulness

The Mahâjan has thus described the sakhya–ras –

“jamunâr tire kânâi shridâmere loiyâ,

mâthâmâthi ron kore shrama-jukto hoiyâ.

prakhar robir tâpe shukâilo mukh,

dekhi shob sakhâgoner mone hoilo duhkh.

aar nâ khelibo bhâi cholo jâi ghare,

sakâle jâite mâ kohiyâchhe shobâre.

molin hoilo kânâi mukhâni tomâr,

dekhiyâ bidore hiyâ âmâ shobâkâr.

beli abasân hoilo cholo ghare jâi,

ithe balaraam dur bone gelo gâi.”

Meaning – “Kânâi locked horns with Shridâm on the banks of the Yamunâ and both of them fought vigorously – so much so – that they were bathed with perspiration from head to toe. The scorching heat of the sun burnt Sri Krishna’s face. When the sakhâs saw this they were overcome with grief. (They love Him so much!!) Out of concern for Him, they stopped the game and said – “We shall not play any more, brothers, come, let’s go home”. In stead of revealing the true reason for wanting to return, they simply said – “Mother Yashomati has told all of us to go home early today. Why, my dear Kânâi, Your face has turned so pale!! Our hearts are bleeding, seeing You thus!! Anyway, the sun is about to set, come, let’s go home. Look, Balarâm has gone far and the cows too have wandered deep into the forest – if we wait any longer, it will get dark, and then, how will we collect them?” (This implies that – Kamsa’s emissaries may attack us any moment. Then what will we do? Since Balarâm, Who can protect us, too has gone far. Once again, this proves the lack of ‘aishwarya-gyân’ in the Vraja-sakhâs.)