Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinode Thakura

 FROM 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:

Navadwip Dham Mahatmya

Navadwip Bhava Taranga

Tattwa Sutram - The Truth

The Songs of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur

Bhaktivinoda Thakur identifying and commenting on the Deviant sampradayas (Apasampradayas)

Further Writings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur

Mayik World - 1896

Love over Rationalism - 1871

Non Sectarian Vaishnava Dharma