Sharanagati

(from lecture of B.K.Tirtha Maharaj, 3 of September 2006, Sofia)

All men very easily understand what is the difference between the motherly love and the conjugal love. It is suggested for the male devotees that they should respect all ladies as mothers – except their wives. That’s a different case. You see, all the respect should be given, all ladies are mothers, except my wife, because she is my best part. It’s a different rasa, different feeling, different connection.
From a theoretical point of view, Mother Yashoda is caring great portion of divine love, but that is a motherly type of love. This is not the lover’s type of love.
If we can measure – although I think we cannot measure the intensity and the beauty of divine connections – but if we try to analyze, then we can evaluate on the roles the partners take. So the first level is shanta rasa – this is a neutral connection, when the worshiper simply appreciates the greatness of God. The second step is dasya rasa, servant; and a servant considers himself lower and the God – higher: “He is my Lord.” There is a difference. Next step is sakhya rasa, friendship – friends are on an equal platform, right? And in vatsalya rasa, motherly affection, parental love, the devotee considers himself or herself higher than the God: “He is my son.” And due to the divine affection God is ready to accept this. He joins the play, He starts the game. And Krishna was ready to play with Yashoda. But in madhurya rasa, conjugal love, He is not ready to play the game, He is bound to do it. He has no choice.
So the intensity and the level of roles – according to this we can appreciate the different levels.