Characteristics of Devotional Service to God - The Symptoms of Pure Bhakti
The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not an ambiguous, sentimental journey. It is a highly scientific process with clear symptoms, stages, and defining traits. To guide the conditioned souls, the great ācāryas and the Supreme Lord Himself have provided precise descriptions of the characteristics of devotional service to God. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by understanding these characteristics, a devotee can accurately gauge their progress from the initial stages of regulated practice up to the highest peaks of spontaneous love.
Defining Pure Devotion
What exactly constitutes pure devotional service? Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the great authorities of bhakti, such as Lord Kapiladeva and Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, have thoroughly defined its nature. In the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī specifically lists six primary characteristics of pure devotional service, establishing the benchmark for all aspiring transcendentalists.
- In the above statement by Kapiladeva from the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the actual position of a pure devotee is described, and the primary characteristics of devotional service are also defined.
- Now I shall speak about the characteristics of devotional service, by which one can attain the shelter of Krsna and His loving transcendental service.
- Further characteristics of devotional service are described by Rupa Gosvami with evidences from different scriptures.
- He (Rupa Gosvami) states that there are six characteristics of pure devotional service, which are as follows.
Symptoms of Advancement
As a devotee actively engages in hearing, chanting, and serving the Lord, certain internal and external characteristics naturally manifest. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the most prominent characteristic of advancement is a spontaneous distaste for material enjoyment. Furthermore, a pure devotee exhibits profound emotional symptoms, such as laughing in spiritual joy and crying in separation from the Lord.
- Advancement in devotional service, or Krsna consciousness, is characterized by increasing renunciation of material enjoyment.
- He (the devotee in dasya-rati) considers the Lord to be a worshipable object, and this means that his attachment for the Lord increases. Thus dasya-rati is characterized as bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra ca - Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.42.
- Characteristic symptoms exhibited by a pure devotee are generally laughing and crying; when emotions are favorable, a pure devotee laughs, and when emotions are not favorable, he cries.
- It is confirmed also in the Bhagavad-gita that a devotee who has unflinching faith in and devotion to the Lord, even if he is sometimes found to be accidentally deviated from pure devotional characteristics, should still be counted amongst the pure.
Characteristics of the Rasas
When a devotee's love matures, they become situated in a specific transcendental relationship (rasa) with Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that each of these relationships—whether it be servitorship, friendship, parenthood, or conjugal love—has its own unique, defining characteristics and moods.
- Awe and veneration are absent on the platform of fraternity, since this rasa is predominated by confidential service. Therefore sakhya-rasa is characterized by the qualities of three rasas.
- In the vatsalya-rasa, characterized by parental affection, one can become like Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda.
- In the madhurya-rasa, characterized by conjugal love, one can become like Srimati Radharani or Her lady friends such as Lalita and Her serving maids (manjaris) like Rupa and Rati.
- There are three ways to attain the lotus feet of the Absolute Truth, Krsna. There is the process of philosophical speculation, the practice of mystic yoga and the execution of devotional service. Each of these has its different characteristics.
The Stage of Spontaneous Love (Rāga-bhakti)
The ultimate progression of devotional service moves from strict regulation (vaidhī-bhakti) to spontaneous love (rāga-bhakti). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the defining characteristic of this highly advanced stage is an intense, spontaneous affection for the eternal residents of Vṛndāvana, which becomes so powerful that the devotee naturally transcends the rigid restrictions of the revealed scriptures.
- My dear Sanatana, I have now in detail described devotional service according to the regulative principles. Now hear from Me about spontaneous devotional service and its characteristics.
- When one becomes deeply affected by the devotion of the residents of Vrajabhumi and tries to follow in their footsteps, he does not care for the restrictions or regulations of the revealed scriptures. This is the characteristic of one in raga-bhakti.
- Now the characteristics of devotional service will be described according to various authoritative opinions.
Conclusion
By carefully studying the characteristics of devotional service as presented by Śrīla Prabhupāda and the previous ācāryas, devotees are saved from the pitfalls of sentimentalism and artificial imitation. Understanding these symptoms ensures that we are making genuine progress on the authentic path back home, back to Godhead.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Characteristics of Devotional Service to God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.