Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinode ThakuraFROM MOSES TO MAHAPRABHU
If the reader carefully considers, it will be found that the
spiritual science gradually evolved from ancient times and
became more simple, more clear and more condensed. The
more impurities arising from time and place are removed, the
more the beauties of the spiritual science brightly shine
before us. This spiritual science took birth in the land of kusha
grass on the banks of the Sarasvati river in Brahmavarta. As
it gradually gained strength, this spiritual science spent its
childhood in the abode of Badarikashram, which is covered
with snow. It spent its boyhood in Naimisharanya on the
banks of the Gomati river and its youth on the beautiful banks
of the Kaveri river in the province of Dravida. The spiritual
science ayyained maturity in Navadvip, on the banks of the
Ganges, which purifies the universe.By studying the history of the world, it is found that the
spiritual science reached its peak in Navadvip. The Supreme
Absolute Truth is the only object of love for the living
entities. Unless one worhips Him with attachment, however,
the living entity can never attain Him. Even if a person gives
up all affection for this world and thinks of the Supreme Lord,
He is still not easily achieved. He is controlled and attained by
transcendental mellows alone. These mellows are of five
types - shanta, dasya, sakya, vatsalya and madhurya.The first mellow, shanta, is the stage in which the living
entity surpasses the pains of material existence and situates
himself in transcendence. In that state there is a little
happiness, but no feeling of independence. At that time the
relationship between the practitioner and the Lord is not yet
established.Dasya rasa is the second mellow. It contains all the
ingradients of shanta rasa as well as affection. "The Lord is
my master, and I am His eternal servant". This type of
relationship is found in dasya rasa. No one cares much for any
of the best things of this world unless they are connected
with affection. Therefore dasya rasa is superior to shanta
rasa in many ways.Sakya is superior to dasya. In dasya rasa there is a thorn
in the form of awe and reverence, but the main ornament in
sakya rasa is the feeling of friendship in equality. Among the
servants, one who is a friend is superior. There is no doubt
about it. In sakya rasa all the wealth of shanta and dasya is
included.It is easy to understand that vatsalya is superior to sakya.
A son gives more affection and happiness than any friend.
Therefore in vatsalya rasa we find the wealth of four rasas.
Although vatsalya rasa is superior to these other rasas, it
appears insgnificant before madhurya rasa. There may be
many secrets unknown between father and son, but this not
the case between husband and wife. Therefore, if we deeply
consider, it will be seen that all the above-mentioned rasas
attain perfection within madhurya rasa.If we go through the histories of these five rasas, it is
clearly understood that shanta rasa was seen in the beginning
days of India. When the soul was not satisfied after
performing sacrifices with material ingredients, then
transcendentalists like Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanat-kumara,
Sananda, Narada and Lord Shiva all became detached from
the material world, situated in transcendence and realized
shanta rasa.
Much later, dasya rasa manifested in Hanuman, the
servant of Sri Ramachandra. That same dasya rasa gradually
expanded in the northwest and manifested in a great
personality named Moses.In the age of Dvapara, Uddhava and Arjuna became the
qualified authorities of sakhya rasa. They preached this rasa
throughout the world. Gradually tha rasa expanded up to the
Arabian countries and touched the heart of Mohammed, the
knower of religious principles.Vatsalya rasa manifested throughout India in different
forms at different times. Among the different forms, vatsalya
mixed with opulence crossed India and appeared in a great
personality named Jesus Christ, who was a preacher of Jewish
religious principles.Madhurya rasa first shone brightly in Braj. It is extremely
rare for this rasa to enter the hearts of conditioned souls,
because this rasa tends to remain with qualified, pure living
entities. This confidential rasa was preached by Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu, the moon of Navadvipa, along with His followers.Till now, this rasa has not crossed beyond India. Recently
a scholar from England named Newman realized something
about this rasa and wrote a book about it. The people of
Europe and America have not been satisfied with vatsalya
rasa mixed with opulence as preached by Jesus Christ. I hope,
by the grace of the Lord, in a very short time they will
become attached to drinking the intoxicating nectar of
madhurya rasa.It has been seen tha any rasa that appears in India
eventually spreads to the western countries, therefore
madhurya rasa will soon be preached throughout the world.
Just as the sun rises first in India and gradually spreads its
lights to the West, the matchless splendor of spiritual truth
appears first in India and gradually spreads to the Western
countries.
Other Works of Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
The Songs of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Bhaktivinoda Thakur identifying and commenting on the Deviant sampradayas (Apasampradayas)
