Verse Text
sādhanābhiniveśena kṛṣṇa-tad-bhaktayos tathā |
prasādenāti-dhanyānāṁ bhāvo dvedhābhijāyate |
ādyas tu prāyikas tatra dvitīyo viralodayaḥ ||6||
Translation
Bhāva appears in very fortunate persons in two ways: by absorption in sādhana or by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa or His devotee. Its appearance by sādhana is normal, and its appearance by mercy is rare.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
This verse describes two ways in which bhāva appears: by sādhana and by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. Sādhanābhiniveṣena (absorption in sādhana) means “by bhakti at the stage of niṣṭhā, after anartha-nivṛtti.” Ati-dhanyānām means “of those who have the great fortune, which arises from previous association with great devotees.”
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
In this verse, the cause of bhāva arising in the devotees of this world is discussed. Persons become very fortunate (ati-dhanyānām) by prior association with great devotees.
bhavāpavargo bhramato yadā bhavej
janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samāgamaḥ
sat-saṅgamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau
parāvareśe tvayi jāyate matiḥ
When the material life of a wandering soul has ceased, O Acyuta, he may attain the association of Your devotees. And, when he associates with them, there awakens in him devotion unto You, who are the goal of the devotees and the Lord of all causes and their effects. SB 10.51.53
rahūgaṇaitat tapasā na yāti
na cejyayā nirvapaṇād gṛhād vā
na cchandasā naiva jalāgni-sūryair
vinā mahat-pāda-rajo ’bhiṣekam
My dear King Rahūgaṇa, unless one has the opportunity to smear his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth. One cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy [brahmacarya], strictly following the rules and regulations of householder life, leaving home as a vānaprastha, accepting sannyāsa, or undergoing severe penances in winter by keeping oneself submerged in water or surrounding oneself in summer by fire and the scorching heat of the sun. There are many other processes to understand the Absolute Truth, but the Absolute Truth is only revealed to one who has attained the mercy of a great devotee. SB 5.12.12
Discussion that is more detailed will be found in the Bhakti-sandarbha.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
Elevation to this stage of ecstasy can be possible in two ways. One way is by constant association with pure devotees. The other way is by the special mercy of Kṛṣṇa or by the mercy of a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa. Elevation to the ecstatic stage of life is generally attained through association with pure devotees, while elevation to that stage by the special mercy of Kṛṣṇa or His devotee is very rare. The purport is that one should execute devotional service rigidly in the association of devotees so that there will be certainty in raising oneself to that ecstatic position. In special cases, of course, there is special favor from Kṛṣṇa, and although we should always expect that, we should not sit idly and simply wait for Kṛṣṇa’s special mercy; the regular duties must be performed. It is just as when, sometimes, it is found that a person who never attended school or college may be recognized as a great scholar, or an honorary degree from great universities may be offered to him. But this does not mean that one should avoid school and expect to automatically receive an honorary degree from some university. Similarly, one should devoutly execute the regulative principles of devotional service and at the same time hope for Kṛṣṇa’s favor or for His devotee’s favor.