BHAKTI RASAYANA - English

At the beginning of the second part of Srila Sanatana Gosvami's Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrta, Jaimini Rsi explains to Janamejaya how, after having heard the description of Narada's quest that comprises the first part of this exalted scripture, Pariksit Maharaja's mother Uttara said to her son, "My heart cannot be satisfied if those devotees who, being indifferent to any other spiritual practice and spiritual attainment, desire only the eternal service of Srimati Radhika, and who perpetually sing Her glories and are immersed in love for Her, attain residence in merely the same Vaikuntha as so many other devotees do. This is a matter of great sorrow! And I cannot tolerate that this may be the final destination for devotees like Sri Nandaraya and Sri Yasoda. There must certainly be a suitable abode for them that is superior to Vaikuntha. If there is such a place, then please describe it and deliver me from this doubt." (Brhad-bhagavatamrta (2.1.21–2, 24)) Pariksit Maharaja replied, "Although I could satisfy you by answering your question with the words of the Sruti and Smrti, instead, by the mercy of my spiritual master, Sri Sukadeva, I will first relate a historical narration that will dispel all of your doubts. Then I will speak those esential verses of the scriptures." (Brhad-bhagavatamrta (2.1.34–5))

Then, after hearing the incomparable story of Gopa-kumara that comprises the second part of the Brhad-bhagavatamrta, Janamejaya said to Jaimini Rsi, "Fearing that these descriptions will now come to an end, my heart is feeling great sorrow. Therefore now please give me such potent nectar that, upon hearing which, my heart will be fully purified for all time." (Brhad-bhagavatamrta (2.7.89)) Jaimini replied, "O my child Janamejaya, your father, Sri Pariksit, feeling transcendental pleasure upon describing the glories of Goloka, next sang with a wonderful and sweet devotional mood numerous verses from two great epics that are the very esence of the Srutis and Smrtis. With great happines I wander in this world singing these verses, thereby mitigating the pangs of separation from your father that I feel." (Brhad-bhagavatamrta (2.7.90–1))

Then Jaimini Rsi went on to quote four verses from Brahmasamhita and fifty-nine verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam that collectively have come to be known as bhakti-rasayana, nectar-tonic that stimulates devotion unto the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna. This book is a translation of lectures spoken originally in Hindi by our esteemed Srila Gurudeva, om visnupada astottara-sata Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja. Spoken in 1991 at Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha in Mathura, this material comprises his commentary on twenty-eight of these verses that are the very esence of the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. In gradation these verses glorify the devotion of the different clases of devotees in Vraja, culminating in the topmost bhakti of the vrajagopis.

CONTENTS: Publisher's Note, Introduction, Mangalacarana, CHAPTERS: The Earth Becomes Fortunate, The Peacocks Dance to Krsna's Flute Melody, The Best Servant of Hari, The Clouds, Rivers and Trees Serve Krsna, Happines in Separation, The Gopis Desire to Become Birds and Deer, The Animals of Vraja are Stunned, The Gopis Glorify the Pulinda Girl, Krsna Enjoys Playing with His Friends, The Glories of Sakhya-rasa, Nanda and Yasoda's Love for Krsna, Mother Yasoda's Bhakti is  Indescribable, Mother Yasoda Binds Krsna, Purva-raga, or Preliminary Attraction, Krsna's Beauty is Unsurpased, The Nature of the Gopis' Mahabhava, Bhakti-rasayana verses, Glossary, Verse Index

TITLE: BHAKTI RASAYANA - English
Collection of Lectures by Srimad Bhaktivedant Narayan Goswami Maharaj
PUBLISHER: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications
EDITION: Fourth, 2011
ISNBs: 978-1-935428-37-4 9781935428374 1-935428-37-3 1935428373
LCCN: 2011937004 2011-937004
PAGES: 230, with Color Plates
SHIPPING WEIGHT: 350 grams