Chapter - 18CHARACTER OF ONE IN ECSTATIC LOVE (Bhäva-bhakti cont. …)

9 Characteristic traits possessed by a genuine Bhäva Bhakta1) Avyartha-kälatvam (utilizes time in devotional

service)

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2) Kñänti (reserved & perseverant)

Tolerance (SB 1.19.15) Parékñit Mahäräja

3) Virakti (detached from material attraction)

SB 5.14.43

Bharat Mahäräja

4) Manasunyata (prideless)

King Bhagératha (Padma Puräna)Läl Bäbu (Calcutta landlord)

5) Äçä-bandha (Certain that Kåñëa will bestow mercy on him)

Rüpa Gosvämé’s prayer

6) Samutkaëöhä (Eager to serve lord faithfully)

Bilva Mangal Thakur in Kåñëa Karnamrita

7) Näma-gäne sadä ruci (attached to chanting)

Kåñëa Karnamrita

8) Äsaktis tad-guëäkhyäne (Eager to describe the qualities of the lord)

Kåñëa karnamrita

9) Prétis tad vasati sthäle ( Attraction for living in a place where Kåñëa has pastimes)

Padyävalé (Rüpa Gosvämé)

Neophyte / non devotee exhibiting signs of Bhäva (Rathyä bhäñä - Semblance of ecstasy)

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Is it really possible? Caused by

Types of Rathyä bhäñä

If sincere devotees don’t attain bhäva how can non devotees?

Therefore they exhibit only Reflection of Bhäva.

a) Pratibimba (Reflective)

b) Chäyä (Shadow)

Person has corrupt motive but intense practice

In association of advance

devotees

Person executes out of social convention or curiosity

Less intense compared to a but motive not as corrupt

Specially when i) Kértan ii) Visit dhäms iii) Attend festivals iv) Occasional association of devotees

Both a & b Devotee power

3) How to convert Rathyä bhäñä to genuine bhäva?

3 4

4) Unexpected symptoms those are genuine

By service to Guru

Blocked by offences

Mercy flows

Whatever attachments real

or imagine will disappear and

wane

Worst offense is wanting to be one

with whole (Impersonalism)

If without going regulative principles

one develops high standard of devotion

Former life had devotional credits

Now temporarily stopped because of offenses

Can steadily progress only in association

of pure devotees

Now second chance

If person in Bhäva platform has faults 5

Is it serious? How should one see it?

No

because lingering traces may momentarily manifest

Disregard faults

Very soon will become

perfect by force of his

devotion

Narasiàha Puräëa

Illumination can not be checked

by pockmarks on full moon