Chapter Seven: Literature of the Rasika Tradition
—treated at great length and by the same method of scriptural testimony. In the realm of Saketa, Bhagavan Rama continually performs rāsa-vilāsa with Sita and infinite other companions. All these companions arise from portions of Sri Jānaki.1
That realm of Saketa, or divine city of Ayodhya, is the foundation of all Vaikunthas. It lies beyond primordial nature, consists of the Brahman designated “That” and “Real,” stands beyond the Viraja, and is furnished with divine treasuries composed of rasa. It is the eternal place of Sita and Rama’s loving recreation.2
The work next defines true detachment. Detachment means extraordinarily intense love, passion, and attachment to Bhagavan. When this is present, detachment from the world arises of itself.3
It then gives the characteristics of a saint and the greatness of holy company. The Ganges removes sin, the moon removes burning distress, and the wish-fulfilling tree removes poverty; but association with saints destroys sin, distress, and poverty all at once.4
Saints are those whose hearts dwell in Bhagavan and who are not separated from him even for a moment.5 Such a Vaishnava saint sanctifies the family, fulfils the mother’s life, and blesses the earth. Nor is this all—
Footnotes
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“Together with Sita and infinite companions, Rama freely performs the rāsa. Those companions arise from Jānaki’s limbs.” Mahārāmāyaṇa, cited in Śrī Rāma-navaratna, p. 40. ↩
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Atharvaṇa, latter half, cited in Śrī Rāma-navaratna, p. 42. ↩
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“If Hari has not been worshipped, what use is austerity? If Hari has been worshipped, what use is austerity? If Hari is within and without, what use is austerity? If Hari is neither within nor without, what use is austerity?” Cited on p. 80. ↩
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Ādi Purāṇa, cited on pp. 1–2. ↩
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“The saints are my heart and I am the saints’ heart. They know no one besides me, and I know no one besides them.” Bhāgavata, cited on p. 106. The Padma Purāṇa passage on p. 107 adds: “That family is pure, that mother fulfilled, that blessed earth fortunate, and those ancestors in heaven blessed, in whose lineage a person bears the name Vaishnava.” ↩