Rasik Saints: Experiencing Divine Ecstasy in Braj

In the sacred land of Braj, where Lord Krishna descended to bless the world with his divine presence, the realm witnessed the convergence of three types of personalities: the Supreme Soul (Paramatma), the Great Soul (Mahatma), and the individual soul (Jeevatma).

The ultimate goal of every soul is to realize the Supreme Soul, God. Among those who achieve this realization and transcend the illusory nature of material existence, some become great souls, known as Mahatmas or Saints. These Saints, driven by pure love for the Supreme Lord Bhagawan Shri Krishna, embrace different modes of relationship, known as bhavs: Shant (peaceful), Dasya (servitude), Sakhya (friendship), Vatsalya (parental), and Madhurya (conjugal).

Within the realm of Madhurya Bhav, the highest level of love, there are three distinct levels: Sadharani Rati, Samanjasa Rati, and Samartha Rati. Among them, Samartha Rati, also known as Gopi Prem, represents the pinnacle of divine love. In Gopi Prem, there is no trace of self-happiness, as the sole focus is on the beloved's joy. The sentiment of "Happiness of the beloved makes me happy" prevails.

The Gopis, the beloved devotees of Shyam Sundar (Lord Krishna), consider Shri Radha Rani as their Supreme Queen (Swamini). Their sole purpose is to ensure the happiness of the divine couple, Shri Radha Krishna. Every action they undertake is dedicated to pleasing them. Their worship takes the form of pleasing the divine couple, and their desire is solely to serve them. They find pain in their own self-pleasure that does not bring joy to the divine couple, while even the greatest misery that brings pleasure to the divine couple becomes the source of their delight. Their love is selfless, and their sole focus is on meticulously serving the divine couple.

These devotees, submerged in exclusive love for Shri Radha Krishna, are known as Rasik Saints. They experience heightened ecstasy when they align themselves with Shri Radha and engage in playful teasing of beloved Shyam Sundar. Their utmost attention is directed towards intensifying the love between the divine couple, creating a unique divine bliss.

Within Madhurya Bhav, there are other bhavs that offer lesser bliss compared to Gopi bhav. Let us briefly explore the various bhavs present within Madhurya Bhav:

1. Gopi Bhav (Sahchari Bhav): Gopi Bhav, also known as Sahchari Bhav, represents the most intimate and obscure mode of devotion where the devotee becomes a friend of Shri Radha. This bhav involves physical and enjoyable interactions with Shri Krishna. Devotees with Gopi Bhav confine themselves to selfless service towards Shri Radha and Krishna. It is an intensely private and esoteric form of service, focusing exclusively on close physical association and service that enhances the divine couple's bliss. While other Gopis may reach the level of Mahabhav, Gopi Bhav devotees ascend to the highest level known as Roodh Bhav. They have access to Nikuj and partially to Nibhrit Nikunj.

2. Sakhi Bhav: Devotees with Sakhi Bhav do not have access to the most intimate loving pastimes of the divine couple. However, they serve Priya Priyatam (Beloved of their Beloved) in various ways, often associating with entities related to Lord Krishna such as His cows, parents, and friends. Sakhi Bhav devotees receive the opportunity to serve through the grace of Gopi Bhav Gopis. They enjoy the bliss of the groves (Kunj) of Vrindavan.

3. Manjari Bhav: Another category within the Mahabhav class of devotees is the Manjari Bhav. These devotees are intimately involved in the private and incomprehensible love pastimes of the divine couple. They directly assist in arranging the divine couple's pastimes, but they are not involved in the most intimate leelas of Priya Priyatam. They abundantly relish the other leelas of Madhurya Bhav in Kunj. Manjari Bhav Gopis primarily assist Shri Radha in achieving closer association with Lal Ju (Beloved Shyam Sundar). While Sakhi Bhav and Manjari Bhav may seem similar, Sakhi Bhav does not directly participate in the most secretive love pastimes of Shri Radha Madhav, whereas Manjari Bhav offers direct association with Priya Priyatam, providing an opportunity to assist Radha Rani in deepening her intimacy with Shyam Sundar. Gopi Bhav encompasses all the rights and bliss enjoyed by both Sakhi Bhav and Manjari Bhav and even more.

4. Kinkari Bhav: Devotees with Kinkari Bhav are ever anxious to serve Shri Radha as maids. Their desire is to be the dust on Shri Radharani's lotus feet, serving her eternally. It is said, "The one who always desires to be the dust on Shri Radharani's lotus feet can taste the sweetest nectar of Vrindavan, the 'Vrindavan Ras'."

Rasik Saints, immersed in the depths of love for Shri Radha Krishna, experience the transcendental joy of divine devotion. They embody the various bhavs within Madhurya Bhav and relish the unique ecstasy of uniting the divine couple through their selfless service and unflinching devotion. Braj, the sacred land where their devotion blooms, becomes a sanctuary of divine bliss, perpetually resonating with the melodious love songs of the Rasik Saints.