```json
{
    "title": "Nine Symptoms of Advanced Bhakti",
    "url": "https://bhakticollective.com/index.php/2008/10/13/nine-symptoms-of-advanced-bhakti/",
    "datePublished": "2008-10-13",
    "dateModified": "2008-10-13",
    "language": "en-US",
    "description": "suddha-sattva-viseshatma prema-suryamsu-samya-bhak rucibhis citta-masrinya- krid asau bhava ucyate \"'When bhakti is executed on the transcendental platform of pure goodness (suddha-sattva), it is like a sun-ray of love for Krishna. At…",
    "author": "bhaktic_admin",
    "publisher": "Bhakti Collective"
}
```

# Nine Symptoms of Advanced Bhakti

[http://bhakticollective.com/2008/10/13/nine-symptoms-of-advanced-bhakti/](http://bhakticollective.com/2008/10/13/nine-symptoms-of-advanced-bhakti/)

**suddha-sattva-viseshatma
prema-suryamsu-samya-bhak
rucibhis citta-masrinya-
krid asau bhava ucyate**

"'When bhakti is executed on the transcendental platform of pure goodness (suddha-sattva), it is like a sun-ray of love for Krishna. At such a time, bhakti causes the heart to be softened by various tastes, and one is then situated in bhava (ecstatic emotion).” *Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu* (1.3.1)

** kshantir avyartha-kalatvam
viraktir mana-sunyata
asa-bandhah samutkantha
nama-gane sada rucih
asaktis tad-gunakhyane
pritis tad-vasati-sthale
ity-adayo 'nubhavah syur
jata-bhavankure jane**

"When the seed of ecstatic emotion for Krishna fructifies, the following nine symptoms manifest in one's behavior: forbearance, concern that time should not be wasted, detachment, absence of false prestige, hope, eagerness, a taste for chanting the holy name of the Lord, attachment to descriptions of the transcendental qualities of the Lord, and affection for those places where the Lord resides -- that is, a temple or a holy place like Vrindavana. These are all called anubhava (subordinate signs of ecstatic emotion). They are visible in a person in whose heart the seed of love of God has begun to fructify.” *Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu* (1.3.25-26)

[Rupa Goswami](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupa_Goswami)’s *Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu* is one of the foundational texts in the [Chaitanya-vaishnava](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaudiya_Vaishnavism) lineage of bhakti-yoga. It is an assimilation of the teachings that Rupa Goswami received from Sri Chaitanya in a ten day discussion held on the bank of the [Ganga](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_River) at Dasasvamedha-ghata in [Pryaga](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allahabad). *Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu* elaborates on the nature, practices and gradations of bhakti as well as the components of *bhakti-rasa* (the experience of pure devotion).

The above verses discuss

*bhava*

(devotional ecstacy), the eighth of nine stages of advancement in bhakti, culminating in

*prema*

(pure love of God).

*Bhava*

is seen as the preliminary, budding stage or sprout of

*prema*

. Verse 1.3.1 reveals both the primary and secondary characteristics of

*bhava*

. The primary characteristic is

* suddha-sattva-viseshatma*

, one’s heart, or one could say one’s consciousness, becomes influenced by the touch of

*suddha-sattva*

(pure goodness), which is the direct influence of the Lord’s potency. This implies that one is no longer held under the sway of the

[gunas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guna)

*(sattva, rajas, and tamas*

).  The secondary characteristic of

*bhava*

is the softening of the heart which gives rise to various devotional tastes or experiences. One who is situated on the stage of

*bhava*

will be easily moved by devotional stimulus such as

[kirtan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtan)

, hearing the recitation of devotional texts, ect.

Verses 1.3.25-26 reveal nine symptoms which can been seen in the character of one who has achieved the stage of

*bhava*

. These symptoms are seen as excellent criterion for determining advancement in bhakti, as opposed to other types of displays which may be easily imitated.

**Kshanti:**

perseverance. Remaining tolerant and patient, even amid disturbance.

**Avyartha-kalatvam:**

utilization of time. Refers to constant engagement in devotional

*seva*

(service).

**Virakti:**

detachment. Completely indifference to the objects of sense gratification.

**Mana-shunyata:**

absence of false prestige or pridelessness. To feel humble, free from the longing for being shown respect.

**Asha-bandha:**

hope. To be always certain that Krishna will bestow His mercy on oneself.

**Samutkanta:**

An intense eagerness to achieve or ardent desire for attaining one's desired supreme object (prema).

**Nama-gane sada ruci:**

Thirst arising out of affection for constantly chanting the Lord’s holy names.

**Asaktis tad-gunakhyane:**

A natural attachment to describe the Lord's most sweet qualities, pastimes and so on.

**Pritis tad-vasati-sthale:**

The desire to reside in the places of the Lord's pastimes such as Vrindavana.

Kaustubha das

*[Rupa Goswami](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupa_Goswami)(1489-1564 CE) is a teacher, poet, and philosopher from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Bhakti-yoga. Along with his brother *

[Sanatana Go](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanatana_Goswami)

*[swami](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanatana_Goswami) he was considered the leader of the [Six Goswamis of Vrindavan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Goswamis_of_Vrindavan) - a highly influential group of acetic disciples of the Vaishnava saint/avatar, [Sri Chaitanya](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaitanya_Mahaprabhu). Rupa Goswami wrote a number of important books in Sanskrit on bhakti philosophy, poetics, drama and dramaturgy. He is also credited with uncovering various holy places associated with the life of Krishna in [Vrindavan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrindavan).*