mahāśakti-vilāsātmā bhāvo’cintya-svarūpa-bhāk |
raty-ākhyā ity ayaṁ yukto na hi tarkeṇa bādhitum |
(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 2.5.92)
“This bhāva, known as rati, by constitution an expression of the supreme potency [i.e., the hlādinī-śakti], and [thus] possessed of an inconceivable nature, is not fit to be assailed with argument.”
purāṇe nāṭya-śāstre ca dvayos tu rati-bhāvayoḥ |
samānārthatayā hy atra dvayam aikyena lakṣitam ||
(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 1.3.13)
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“In the Purāṇas and in the śāstras on dramaturgy the words rati and bhāva have the same meaning. Here also [i.e., in Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu], the two words are seen to be synonymous.”
śuddha-sattva-viśeṣātmā prema-sūryāṁśu-sāmya-bhāk |
rucibhiś citta-māsṛṇya-kṛd asau bhāva ucyate ||
(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 1.3.1)
“That [i.e., that aspect of uttamā-bhakti] which is constituted of a special aspect of śuddha-sattva, is a bearer of resemblance to a ray of the sun of prema, and is a melter of the heart with hankerings, is called bhāva [-bhakti].”
utpanna-ratayaḥ samyaṅ nairvighnyam anupāgatāḥ |
kṛṣṇa-sākṣātkṛtau yogyāḥ sādhakāḥ parikīrtitāḥ ||
(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 2.1.276)
“[The characteristics of sādhaka Kṛṣṇa-bhaktas are described:] Those in whom rati is manifest yet have not become completely unimpeded, and who are fit for realization of Kṛṣṇa, are said to be sādhakas.”
tad-bhāva-bhāvita-svāntāḥ kṛṣṇa-bhaktā itīritāḥ ||
te sādhakāś ca siddhāś ca dvi-vidhāḥ parikīrtitāḥ ||
(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu: 2.1.273, 275)
“[The definition of a Kṛṣṇa-bhakta:] Those whose hearts are imbued with that bhāva [i.e., their particular, highly exalted and personally desired rati for Kṛṣṇa] are called Kṛṣṇa-bhaktas. … They are said to be of two types: sādhakas and siddhas.”
atha viśveśa viśvātman viśva-mūrte svakeṣu me |
sneha-pāśam imaṁ chindhi dṛḍhaṁ pāṇḍuṣu vṛṣṇiṣu ||
tvayi me’nanya-viṣayā matir madhu-pate’sakṛt |
ratim udvahatād addhā gaṅgevaugham udanvati ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 1.8.41–42)
[Kuntī Devī to Śrī Kṛṣṇa:] “Now, O Lord of the universe, O Giver of consciousness to the universe, O Form of the universe, please cut these strong bonds of affection of mine for my relatives, the Pāṇḍavas and Vṛṣṇis [i.e., not my affection for them based on their endearment to you, but that affection which is based on bodily relationships and causes bondage; you are always attentive to their welfare, so why should I unnecessarily spend my life worrying about them?] O Madhupati, may my mind, having no other object [i.e., no thought of anything except you and your bhaktas], continuously [i.e., without cessation, or, without regard for obstacles] carry forth rati for you, just as the Gaṅgā carries forth its stream [i.e., its water, towards the ocean, disregarding all obstacles in its path].”
