How are other rasas higher than shanta rasa?
From Prathamesh P:
Answer Podcast:
Transcript
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our negative way of thinking. Hare Krishna. Question from Prathamesh Prabhu.
In what sense are the other rasas considered higher than Shantarasa? Answer, they are in terms of the level of proximity with the Lord. So, in the Chaitanya Charitamrita, the example is given to illustrate this point and some actual analysis is also given. So, Shantarasa is itself characterized by complete detachment from matter and complete attachment to the Supreme Lord.
So, Shantarasa is also a liberated stage and it is a very advanced stage as compared to where we are. It is a liberated state. It is a state in which a person is in the spiritual mode.
So, we should not minimize Shantarasa. It is as a complete detachment from matter, complete detachment from spirit. Now, further it is described that when these two are already present but along with that there is an active desire to actively serve the Lord.
Then that is therein is the experience of Dasya Rasa. And beyond that, there is a desire to serve the Lord actively but plus there is a fraternal relationship with the Lord. There is a desire for relating with the Lord in a friendly way.
Then that is Sakya Rasa. When added to that is the desire of maintaining the Lord. The anxiety that if I don’t care for the Lord what will happen? Then that becomes Vatsya Rasa.
And then there is a desire for great emotional proximity and intimacy with the Lord. Then that becomes Madhurya Rasa. So, the point is that the higher Rasa’s have additional emotions added above the foundational detachment from matter and attachment to Krishna that are there inside the Rasa.
And so because of these additional emotions, emotional flavors that are added, these Rasa’s, because these additional flavors are added and because these additional emotional flavors, they increase the level of intimacy with the Lord, which the Rasika Bhakta, which the particular devotee having that particular Rasa experiences in relationship with the Lord, that’s why those Rasa’s are considered higher. So, in that hierarchy, the Madhurya Rasa is considered the highest because it has the maximum level of emotional flavors added and because it leads to the experience of the maximum level of intimacy with the Lord. Thank you.