The Supreme Object of Devotion — Shri Radha Krishna
The Question
If the mind must attach to God’s form,
then upon which form should it attach?
God is one.
Yet He manifests in many forms.
Each form is Divine.
But they are not experienced in the same way.
The Principle
The form of God chosen for devotion
should support two things:
- steady attachment of the mind
- experience of Divine Love
The more attractive the form,
the more naturally the mind remains absorbed.
The more loving the form,
the deeper the experience of Bliss.
The Sweetness of Divine Manifestations
God descends in many forms.
In each descension,
different aspects of His nature are revealed.
In some:
- dharma is established
- protection is given
- majesty is revealed
In others:
- intimacy is revealed
- relationship becomes possible
- Divine Love is experienced
The Uniqueness of Shree Krishn
Among all descensions,
the manifestation of Shree Krishn
is uniquely sweet.
His leelas are numerous,
intimate,
and deeply attractive to the mind.
For a devotee in sadhana,
this becomes essential.
The mind cannot remain absorbed by force.
It requires attraction.
The leelas of Shree Krishn
naturally draw the mind toward Him.
The Five Bhavs (Modes of Love)
In this descension,
all five modes of Divine love are revealed:
- shant bhav — reverence
- dasya bhav — service
- sakhya bhav — friendship
- vatsalya bhav — parental affection
- madhurya bhav — intimate Divine Love
According to one’s inner inclination,
the devotee may relate to God in any of these ways.
This makes devotion natural,
not forced.
The Highest Sweetness
Though Shree Ram and Shree Krishn are one,
the fullest sweetness of Divine Love
was revealed in Shree Krishn’s descension.
That which remained unexpressed earlier
was revealed here.
The highest expression of this Divine Love
is revealed in the Mahāras—
the Divine dance of love between God and the devoted souls.
(For a deeper understanding, see: Mahāras — The Divine Dance
/maharaas-the-divine-dance/)
Radha–Krishn: The Complete Expression of Divine Love
The Supreme God,
in His most complete expression,
is Radha–Krishn.
They are not two separate entities.
They are one reality,
appearing as two
for the sake of Divine play.
Radha is the embodiment of Divine Love.
Krishn is the embodiment of Divine Bliss.
Together,
They represent the complete experience of Divine Love.
Their forms are eternal.
Their pastimes are eternal.
Their relationship is eternal.
The Gradation of Divine Experience
Divine Bliss is not experienced in the same measure
in all approaches.
There are gradations of experience.
The highest sweetness of Divine Love
is revealed in this form.
(See: The Levels of Divine Bliss)
What This Means for the Devotee
The form you meditate upon
shapes your experience.
All forms of God are Divine.
But if the goal is:
- the deepest love
- the sweetest relationship
- the highest Bliss
then the most complete expression of that Love
must be chosen.
The Next Step
If this is the goal,
then how should this devotion be lived
in daily life?