“The devotees in the dâsya-mood have two characteristics – they have the qualities of the shânta-devotee1 as well as ‘sevâ’.” – (C.C.Madhya.19.180)
Srila Rupa Goswâmipâd has called the sthâyi-bhâv of the dâsya-devotees as ‘love mingled with awe’. He has stated –
“When we know someone to be our master, the slight trembling we feel in the heart is called ‘awe’. When love mixes with this feeling we call it as ‘sambhram-priti’ (love mingled with awe). The wise term this sense of ‘love mingled with awe’ as ‘the mood of servitude’ (dâsya-bhâv).” – (B.R.S. 3.2.76)
Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita says –
“In the dâsya-bhâv the devotee has the complete knowledge that Sri Krishna is God Almighty and considers Him as the Master.” – (C.C.Madhya.19.178)
“When the devotee has aishwarya-gyân about Sri Krishna his love diminishes.”
– (C.C.Madhya.19.167)
However we find that the servants in Vraja have a different mood from those of Dwârakâ and Vaikuntha. Priti-Sandarbha (208) says –
“Aishwarya-gyân is pre-dominant in the devotees such as Akrur, who are in dâsya-bhâv, while although devotees such as Uddhav too have aishwarya-gyân, it is mixed with mâdhurya-gyân and the mâdhurya-gyân is more prevalent in them. But we see that in Vrajadhâm the servants are completely in the sweet mood. They simply respect Sri Krishna because they know Him as the Son of Nanda Mahârâj (and not as God Almighty), with excellent qualities and that He is impressive.”
“The Brijwâsis do not know that Sri Krishna is Ishwar.’ – (C.C.Madhya.19.128)
Even the servants of Vraja do not consider Sri Krishna as God, and therefore they do not hold Him in awe.” – (C.C.Madhya.19.128)
Srimad-Bhâgavatam does not mention the servants such as Raktak and Patrak in Vraja-leelâ. We do not know whether such names exist in the Vedic texts such as the Purân, Samhitâ or Tantra). The 10th skandha of Srimad-Bhâgavatam only describes the moods of sakhya, vâtsalya and madhur. Some subjects of Nanda Mahârâj may have dâsya-bhâv for Sri Krishna and one may be eager to practice sâdhanâ under their guidance. However since Srimad-Bhâgavatam does not mention the names such as Raktak and Patrak, also it does not describe in detail the sort of sevâ they perform, it is very difficult to practice Râgânugâ bhajan in dâsya-bhâv. This is why Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita says –
“mor putra, mor sakhâ, mor prânapati,
eibhâbe jei more kore shuddhâ-bhakti.”
Meaning – “The one thinks of me as ‘my son’, ‘my friend’ or ‘my beloved’ is practicing pure devotion.”2
Thus we find that sakhya, vâtsalya and madhur ras are the main Râgânugâ bhakti in Vraja.
What excites dâsya-bhâv? |
When a devotee gets the dust of Sri Krishna’s lotus feet, accepts Mahâprasâd, associates with the dâs-devotees, his dâsya-bhâv is excited.
What are the symptoms expressed by a dâs-devotee? |
He performs sevâ according to what he is capable of, is steadfast in Sri Krishna-bhajan etc. His sâtvic anubhâvs (invisible symptoms) are stupefaction, tears etc. His passing or sanchâri bhâv are joy, pride, patience, indifference, humility, curiosity, surge of emotion.
What forms ras in a dâs-devotee? |
“When Dâruk (Sri Krishna’s charioteer) saw Sri Krishna in front of the main gate of Dwârakâ, he was unable even to fold his palms, and attained a very strange state.” – (B.R.S. 3.2.135)
From this verse we ascertain the vibhâv as follows –
Sthâyi-bhâv – love mingled with awe, since he is a servant in Dwârakâ
The subject of love – Sri Krishna Who knows He is the protector
The shelter of love – Dâruk, who knows he is under Sri Krishna’s protection
What excited ras in him – the vision of Sri Krishna at the main gate of Dwârakâ
Symptoms of ras – He gazed with reverence and tried to fold his palms
Sâtvic bhâv – He was unable to fold his palms; this indicates he was stupefied
Passing bhâvs – He was joyful, immobilized, shivering in thrill, eager to serve.
Thus we find that Dâruk was relishing remarkable ras when his Master Sri Krishna arrived suddenly after a very long period of absence. This mercy upon him was entirely unexpected and he relished many strange bhâvs.
1 Steadfast in Sri Krishna-worship and forsaking material desires
2 Sri Chaitanya-Charitaamrita mentions the relations such as son, friend and beloved, and not ‘servant’.