Essay name: Bhakti-rasayana by Madhusudana Sarasvati
Author:
Lance Edward Nelson
Affiliation: McMaster University / Religious Studies
This is a study and English translation of the Bhakti-rasayana by Madhusudana Sarasvati (16th century)—one of the greatest and most vigorous exponents of Advaita after Shankara-Acharya who was also a great devotee of Krishna. The Bhaktirasayana attempts to merge non-dualist metaphysics with the ecstatic devotion of the Bhagavata Purana, by asserting that Bhakti is the highest goal of life and by arguinng that Bhakti embodies God within the devotee's mind.
Page 308 of: Bhakti-rasayana by Madhusudana Sarasvati
308 (of 553)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
296
Such people would not accept residence in My world,
equality in power with Me, close proximity to Me,
similarity in form with Me, or even oneness with Me were
these being offered without the possibility of serving
Me. 266
3.29.13
There are some who, delighting in the worship of My feet
and exerting themselves in My service, do not desire
oneness with Me. These devotees, gathering together,
celebrate with each other My glorious exploits.
3.25.34
One whose mind is fixed on Me desires nothing except
Me--not the status of Lord Brahma, the creator, nor the
seat of the Great Indra, not lordship over the whole
earth nor sovereignty in the nether world, neither yogic
powers nor freedom from rebirth.
11.14.14
Says Prahlada:
I am Thy devotee, but desire nothing, and Thou art my
Master, but have no need of my service. In our
relationship, there is no object to be attained, though
it is otherwise for a worldly king and his servant.
7.10.6
And Prthu: 267
I shall never desire even that [liberation] in which is
not found the nectar of Thy lotus feet flowing out
through the lips of the supremely great [saints] from
the depths of their hearts. Give me ten thousand ears;
this is my wish. 268
4.20.24
Dhruva 269 also:
The complete fulfillment which arises for embodied
beings through meditation on Thy lotus feet or through
hearing tales about Thy devotees, O Lord, is not found
even in Brahman, in all its greatness. How much less
