Rasa Mãrga - The Path of Love

‘Rasa mãrga’ is of high order, very pure (‘pavitram’), beyond the world (‘aloukiikam’) and beyond words (‘anirvachaneeyam’). Therefore, it cannot be comprehended by the world. If one questions, ‘why write about something that is said to be incomprehensible by the world?’ Well! whether comprehensible or not, one can atleast know that there is some such thing that is incomprehensible! A person reads a novel. What is the ‘phala’ (benefit) of reading that novel? Enjoying the ‘kãvya rasa’ (pleasure of reading) is verily the ‘phala’. A person listens to good music. What is the ‘phala’ of that? Is not enjoying the music itself the ‘phala’? Just so is this ‘Rasa mãrga’.

‘Let me enjoy decorating Bhagavãn, let me enjoy performing ‘Thirumanjananm’ (‘abhishekha’) to Bhagavãn, let me enjoy listening to His Stories, let me enjoy singing His Praises, let me enjoy performing ‘Utsavs’ for Him,’ - such desires should not have the shade of expectations such as, ‘by doing all these I will be blessed with a comfortable life, my troubles would be removed.’ Not only these but one should also not entertain expectations such as, ‘I should attain Moksha (Liberation) or I will have ‘chitta shuddhi’ (purity of mind).

One should accept and undergo the experiences of joy and sorrow that come about in one’s life as per one’s ‘prãrabda’ (result of past actions), just as an ordinary man would do, with the feeling, ‘this is the way of the world’. One should not take any effort or perform any atonement (‘parihãra’) to do away with any sorrow (‘dukkha’) that might have to be faced. Any comfort or happiness that comes by can be accepted within the limits of Dharma to the extent of one’s need.

Well! The question, ‘though we may perform all these without any expectation will not the good things of life and Bhagavat darshan come about automatically as a consequence of such deeds?’ might arise in you. If such a query were to arise in your mind it only means that your subconscious mind entertains such a desire. If such a hope exists in our subconscious mind we become ineligible for ‘Rasa mãrga’.

One should not try any atonement for life’s sorrows, at the same time it is not wrong to lament just as an ordinary man does. But, the thought, ‘my devotion to you all these days has been in vain,’ should not arise even unknowingly. This is the basis for ‘Rasa mãrga’.
In this ‘Rasa mãrga’, due to deep ‘prema’ (Love) for Bhagavãn, without bothering about such things as, ‘is Bhagavãn taking notice of me?’ ‘has Bhagavãn accepted me?’ one should just pour boundless Love on Him.

How can this come about?

The question might arise, ‘in the ways of the world one can reciprocate affection. But, is it possible to shower affection on one who hates us’?
‘Prem’ (Love) is the answer for ‘Prem’. Yet, boundless Love goes beyond such conventions.
Let us take up a worldly illustration. A youth is in love with a girl. But, she hates him. She abuses him, hits him and insults him in various ways. Yet, due to his love for her he follows her with a smile however much she ill-treats him and insults him. Once he realizes that he cannot attain her, he gives up his life.

If such a situation is seen even in the ordinary world then certainly one can do Bhakti to Bhagavãn in this manner. This is verily ‘Rasa mãrga’.

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