Madhur-bhakti-ras

“A devotee in madhur ras five characteristics in all –

1. she is steadfast in her attachment to Sri Krishna (like a shânta-devotee)
2. extreme sevâ (of the dâs-devotee)
3. the unhesitating (frank) behavior of the sakhâ
4. caring and protecting attitude of the vâtsalya devotee
5. over and above she serves Sri Krishna by offering her body.

 

Just as the five elements (sky, air, fire, water and earth) have the qualities of the previous elements, and ultimately the earth has all the five characteristics, similarly the madhur-devotee has a beautiful conglomeration of all the qualities of the devotees in other ras. Therefore this ras has much more relish and it tastes extraordinarily wonderful!” – (C.C.Madhya.19.189-192)

 

The ingredients of madhur ras –

Vibhâvs –

· the object of ras – the unparalleled Sri Krishna Who is the Chief of the vidagdhas. Example –

“Dear sakhi, Sri Hari is gladdening the hearts of all the Gopis by entertaining them with His body that is softer and darker than the blue lotus; thus He is pleasuring them with a Feast of Love. Every part of His body is freely embraced by the Vraja-beauties – thus He is looking all the more charming. In this manner He is sporting in this spring season like Eros personified.”

– (Geet-Govindam)

 

“The maidens of Vraja appear exquisitely sweet and new each moment; every tendency of their heart is a wave of love and they adore Him as their Beloved – I pay obeisance to such remarkable Vraja-kishoris.” – (B.R.S. 3.5.6)

 

Although the queens of Dwârakâ and women like Kubjâ (in Mathurâ) too have kântâ-bhâv (the mood of a sweetheart), the Vraja-beauties are in parakiyâ-mood, and they are the greatest of all sweethearts.

 

“Amongst them, Srimati Râdhârâni, Who is the crest-jewel of all Vraja-bâlâs, is the topmost.”¹ – (B.R.S.)

“Sri Krishna is the embodiment of love and so a devotee entirely subjugates Him with his love. Also the gopikâs are very mature where pure prem-ras is concerned. After all there is no rasâbhâs-dosh², in the love of the Gopikâs. Hence they are able to satisfy Sri Krishna supremely.

 

One group of Gopis is ‘vâmâ’ (crooked) while the other group is ‘dakshinâ’ (generous, straight etc.). They make Sri Krishna relish ras in many ways. Amongst all these Gopis, Srimati Râdhâ Thâkurâni is the topmost, for She is the treasure-mine of crystal pure dazzling love. She is ‘madhyamâ’ in age and balanced in nature. Her love is immensely intense and so She is constantly ‘vâmâ’. Due to this, She is always going into mân, and this creates huge waves in Sri Krishna’s ocean-like bliss.” – (C.C.Madhya.17.156-157, 159-162)

 

How is Srimati Râdhârâni’s beauty?

“Her eyes steal the beauty of an inebriated chakori³, Her face stifles the glory of the full moon, Her immensely exquisite beauty makes super-pure gold feel very much ashamed of its brilliance – look, there is Sri Râdhâ – the One Who contains all sweetness of the Nectar.”

– (B.R.S.)

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