Chapter Six — The Five Relationships of Devotion

Veda-tantra-purāṇeṣu saṃhitāyāṃ ca varṇitaḥ,
Pañcadhā bhakti-sambandho jñātavyaś ca guror mukhāt. (12)

Veda, Tantra, Purana, and Saṃhitā describe the devotional relationship in five forms. Their real meaning must be learned from the mouth of the guru.

Yathā lokeṣu sambandhaḥ sakhya-dāsyādi vartate,
Tathā Rāme hṛdā kāryaḥ sambandhaḥ prīti-vardhakaḥ. (13)

Just as worldly life contains relationships such as friendship and service, one should establish corresponding relationships with Rama in the heart, where they become means of ever-increasing love.

Dṛḍhānurāgaḥ Śrī-Rāme sambandhaś ca vinā nahi,
Bhavet kadācin lokānāṃ satyaṃ satyaṃ vadāmy aham. (14)

Without such a relationship, no person can ever develop unwavering love for Sri Rama. I tell you this truly—truly.

Sambandhākhyaṃ paraṃ tattvaṃ sahajānanda-dāyakam,
Tat-prāptyaiva jīvānāṃ prītir bhavati cācalā. (15)

The supreme principle called “relationship” bestows natural, spontaneous bliss. Only by attaining it does a living being’s love become firm and unmoving.