Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Isnt each jivas rasa a given, something the jiva cannot decide about (and thus not aspire to this or that particular rasa)?

'93According to the devotee, attachment falls within the five categories of santa-rati, dasya-rati, sakhya-rati, vatsalya-rati and madhura-rati. These five categories arise from devotees'92 different attachments to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The transcendental mellows derived from devotional service are also of five varieties." (CC 2.19.183-184)

Baker: yes

Maybe not. At least not for santa rasa and not for secondary rasas

> Different states of bliss in different levels of rasas? In other words, do those in dasya-rasa feel exactly the same type of pleasure than those of the madhurya-rasa? Or is there a difference between them?

What is the nature of the pleasure you get from the association of your child? Is it the same type of pleasure you get from the association of your wife? Is it the same type of pleasure you get from the association of your father? Is it the same type of pleasure you get from the association of a friend? No, they are different flavours and how can one possibly compare them? Its like in the Necar of Devotion where Srila Prabuapda writes that the 12 different rasas are also represented by twelve different colours - how can you compare orange with light green? Or yellow with pink?

Of course Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised that the sweetest type of love and bliss is that shown and experienced by the gopis, but who in their right mind will go and tell Mother Yashoda that her love is inferior or that Sri Balarmas love and affection is not the best or that Krishnas cows have got it wrong?

[quote][cite] Baker:[/cite]Isnt each jivas rasa a given, something the jiva cannot decide about (and thus not aspire to this or that particular rasa)?[/quote]

Not necessarily fixed like that. NOD.

[quote][cite] deena:[/cite]> Different states of bliss in different levels of rasas? In other words, do those in dasya-rasa feel exactly the same type of pleasure than those of the madhurya-rasa? Or is there a difference between them?
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What is the nature of the pleasure you get from the association of your child? Is it the same type of pleasure you get from the association of your wife? Is it the same type of pleasure you get from the association of your father? Is it the same type of pleasure you get from the association of a friend? No, they are different flavours and how can one possibly compare them? Its like in the Necar of Devotion where Srila Prabuapda writes that the 12 different rasas are also represented by twelve different colours - how can you compare orange with light green? Or yellow with pink? [/quote]
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People compare colors all the time, and while each person has their own preference, there is a general consensus that green is the most pleasing color. Similarly, while one feels different flavors of bliss in different relationships, the general consensus is that the relationship with a lover is the best.
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Dont forget that the highest pleasure found in this world is between lovers, and this world is a modeled after the spiritual world.
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Of course Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised that the sweetest type of love and bliss is that shown and experienced by the gopis, but who in their right mind will go and tell Mother Yashoda that her love is inferior or that Sri Balarmas love and affection is not the best or that Krishnas cows have got it wrong?[/quote]
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Radharanis love is superior to that of Mother Yashodas, Sri Balaramas, and all the cows in Vraja. Thats why she is [r]the[/i] highest devotee.

A possible underlying concern that I see with this topic is this:

If our rasas are mostly a given, and there are different intensities of pleasures for different rasas:
Does this not mean that if our rasa is that of being merely a servant or a friend, we will not have the highest pleasure possible, and will thus feel deprived?

You can always become a servant of the servant in a particular rasa, and thus you will experience even greater bliss than the ragatmika devotee in the particular rasa. The whole point is to become servant of the servant of the servant, not to develop your own rasa (which is there already anyway). How does developing your own rasa contributes to humility? ;-)

[quote][cite] ccd:[/cite]How does developing your own rasa contributes to humility? ;-)[/quote]

I dont think it does. [br]
But at least it shows the aspirant developer does not feel miffed by the prospect of sooner or later developing a personal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It shows he or she is enthusiastic, is looking forward to things, feels important enough - "Yay! I am going to run through the meadows with Krishna someday!" -, has things to do and places to be.
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Unlike all those bogged down in trying to glorify nothing.

For me personally, I dont really care if someone feels more bliss in a different rasa. Im just asking for some opinions around here.

Srila Prabhupada was giving a NOD talk that is recorded in 19 clips of an hour almost the 60 minutes complette for each and he said, as giving a clear explanation of what is meant by rasas... and He said, rasa is like ..trying to find a significance and He says is like how is called? the liquid metal? And all devotees will answered Him in unison "the mercury!". He says Yes, Mercury.

Srila Prabhupada ke Jay!