Page 24 - Sri Ramanujacharya Sahasrabdhi - 1000th year anniversary of Ramanujacarya

The ini al stage is called santa -ra , wherein one who is liberated from
material contamina on appreciates the greatness of the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead. One who a ains this stage does not exactly en-

gage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, for this is the neu-
tral stage.
In the second stage, which is called dasya- ra , a person appreciates his
posi on as being everlas ngly subordinate to the Supreme Lord, and
he understands that he is eternally dependent on the causeless mercy
of the Supreme Person. At that me there is an awakening of natural
affec on, such as is felt by a son who grows up and begins to appreci-
ate his father's benedic ons. At this stage the living en ty wants to
serve the Supreme Lord instead of serving maya, illusion.
The third stage in the development of transcendental love is called
sakhya -ra . In this stage, one associates with the Supreme as a friend

on an equal level, with love and respect. As this stage is further devel-
oped, there is joking and such relaxed exchanges as laughing. On this
level there are fraternal exchanges with the Personality of Godhead,
and one is free from all bondage. At this stage one forgets his inferior
posi on as a living en ty, but at the same me he has the greatest re-
spect for the Supreme Person.
In the fourth stage, called vatsalya -ra , the fraternal affec on of the
preceding stage develops into parental affec on. At this me the living

en ty acts as the parent of God. Instead of worshiping the Lord, the
living en ty, as a parent of the Supreme Person, becomes an object of
worship for Him. At this stage the Lord depends on the mercy of His
pure devotee and puts Himself under the control of the devotee to be
raised nicely. Such a devotee can embrace the Supreme Lord and even
kiss His head.
In the fi h stage, called madhura -ra , there is a transcendental ex-
change of conjugal love between the lover and the beloved. It is at this
stage that Krishna and the damsels of Vraja glanced lovingly at one an-
other, for on this pla orm there is an exchange of glances, movements

of the eyebrows, pleasant words, a rac ve smiles, etc.

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