Significance of Rasabhasa
Rasabhasa, in Vaishnavism, describes a phenomenon where the experience of primary and secondary rasas overlaps, leading to confusion and complications within devotional contexts. It serves as a caution against the mixing of transcendental mellows, particularly in relation to conjugal love and other sentiments, emphasizing the need to avoid incompatible emotional combinations. This concept warns against the perversion of spiritual love and highlights the faults associated with inappropriate mixing of sentiments, which can result in spiritual degradation and misunderstanding of divine pastimes.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Rasabhasa'
Rasabhasa in Hinduism denotes improper mixing of emotions, leading to spiritual degradation. It highlights the flawed overlap of transcendental mellows, warns against misunderstanding divine pastimes, and emphasizes maintaining distinct emotional expressions in spiritual practices.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) An offense relating to misunderstanding or mixing the pastimes of different incarnations, which can lead to spiritual degradation.[1] (2) It is a fault that occurs when the distinct transcendental mellows, particularly those of conjugal love and magnanimity, overlap.[2] (3) A term warning about the unfavorable overlapping of mellows, which the brahmana considered while foretelling the pastimes of the Lord.[3] (4) The concept of incompatible mixing of transcendental mellows, which should be avoided in true devotional practices.[4] (5) A term used to describe a mixing of emotions or sentiments that is deemed improper or redundant in spiritual contexts.[5]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) Experiences or shades of rasa that are derived from or resemble the original rasa.[6] (2) A phenomenon or a representation of rasa which occurs alongside and sometimes complicates the experience of primary and secondary rasas.[7] (3) Rasabhasas are aromas or flavors that are categorized into three distinct types.[8] (4) The concept referring to the contradiction that occurs and is understood in relation to rasa.[9]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The mixing of incompatible sentiments in worldly relationships, which is viewed as a perversion in the context of transcendental love.[10]