family | The Hare Krishna Movement

So we are continuing our series on the five types of relationships (rasa’s) with the Lord. Today we are exploring the Paternal Devotional stage of Love of God (Vatsalya-rasa) as explained in chapter 43 of “The Nectar of Devotion”.

When ecstatic love develops into the relationship of parenthood and becomes steadily established, the relationship is called vatsalya-rasa. The exhibition of this vatsalya-rasa standard of devotional service can be found in the dealings of Krishna with His devotees who represent themselves as superior personalities like father, mother, teacher, etc.

Learned scholars have described the impetuses of parental love for Krishna, existing in the elderly personalities who are in relation with Him, as follows: “The Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose bodily complexion is just like a bluish, new-grown lotus flower, whose body is very delicate and whose lotus eyes are surrounded by scattered hair as black as bees, was walking on the streets of Vrindavan when Mother Yasoda, the beloved wife of Nanda Mahārāj, saw Him. Immediately the milk began to flow from her breasts, soaking her body.” Some specific provocations for parental love of Krishna are listed as His blackish bodily hue, which is very attractive and pleasing to see, His all-auspicious bodily features, His mildness, His sweet words, His simplicity, His shyness, His humility, His constant readiness to offer respect to the elderly, and His charity. All of these qualities are considered ecstatic provocations for parental love.

Hare Krishna & Happy Holidays

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In many parts of the world people are celebrating Christmas. Some see it as a spiritual celebration, putting on their Sunday best and attending Christmas mass at their local church. While others view it as a fantasy holiday, with the focus on Santa Claus and the elves, and reindeer. But either way, for me it is a time focused on family, peace, love and charity.

Gift giving, sharing and receiving gifts, is for the most part, a loving exchange, and it brings joy to those giving, and to those recieving.

Also food is involved. There is always a Christmas dinner, and people spend hours in the kitchen preparing favorite dishes to share with their loved ones. And often a prayer or grace is said in thanks.

And sometimes there is singing. I remember as a child my father used to love to sing by the piano, with my mother or sister playing. As devotees we all love kirtan, or sit down for a melodious bhajan.

But any way that people decide to celebrate Christmas and the Holiday Season, it is a good thing in my mind. Its a celebration of life and love family and friends, and all the gifts God has given us.

There is one nice quote I am reminded of from the Nectar of Devotion

Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one’s mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasadam (spiritual food) and offering prasada are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another. (Nectar of devotion text 4)