Permanent bhâv or Sthâyi bhâv – Alankâr-Koustubh says –

“When our heart is without a tinge of rajah (mode of passion) and tamah (mode of ignorance) and it is full of only pure goodness, then an indescribable passion can fill the heart; it is the source of ras-relish, and the wise call it the ‘permanent’ or sthâyi-bhâv.”

Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd says –

“Laughter is a positive feeling while anger is a negative feeling. A bhâv that subjugates all other bhâvs whether positive or negative and looms high over them – we call such a bhâv as ‘permanent’. The Bhakti-literatures call the passion for Sri Krishna as ‘sthâyi-bhâv’.” – (B.R.S.)

Our sthâyi-bhâv intermingles with the bhâvs such as vibhâv etc. and is transformed into ras. On its own vibhâv cannot make us realize ras. It just causes us to express anubhâvs (symptoms). The Vyâbhichâri (passing) bhâvs only help anubhâv. None of these bhâvs can create ras in us if we do not have ‘sthâyi-bhâv’. When our sthâyi-bhâv mingles with three other bhâvs, then it is the sthâyi-bhâv that turns into ras. We have to be very clear about this.

Sthâyi-bhâv is permanent, whereas the other bhâvs such as vibhâv etc. change. Hence although the other bhâvs do make us express ras, they are not the source of ras. Sthâyi-bhâv is a form of the great power called Hlâdini Shakti. It is inconceivable. Therefore Sthâyi-bhâv is permanent and so is ras. We repeat – when sthâyi-bhâv matures, we realize ras. Sthâyi-bhâv has only one function – to please Sri Bhagavân.

Here, we may question –

You said – “sthâyi-bhâv transforms into ras.” In the same breath you are saying – sthâyi-bhâv and ras are both permanent. Are you not contradicting yourself? When one thing changes into another, it does not remain. This means, when sthâyi-bhâv will turn into ras, the sthâyi-bhâv will not exist any more, since now it is ras! Then how can you call sthâyi-bhâv permanent? Also how can you call ras as permanent? Since it has taken birth from sthâyi-bhâv – which means, earlier it did not exist. Does this not mean that both sthâyi-bhâv and ras are temporary?

 (to be continued)