Verse Text
harer īṣac-chruti-vidhau rasāsvādaḥ satāṁ bhavet |
rater eva prabhāvo ’yaṁ hetus teṣāṁ tathākṛtau ||97||
Translation
The devotees develop a taste for rasa simply by a little hearing about the Lord. In these acts of hearing, the strength of rati causes realization of vibhāva and the other elements.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
“So, is there then no necessity of relishing poetic works for realizing these bhāvas?” This verse answers. The taste will develop simply by a little hearing. Joy and sorrow arise invariably in people who are capable of experiencing joy and sorrow. Poetry and drama are easily appreciated by all. Spiritual taste with deep realization can thus arise through poetry and drama. There are famous examples, such as Hanumān constantly hearing Rāmāyaṇa, Parīkṣit’s testimony, and the expression of desires of the women of Vraja.
naiṣātiduḥsahā kṣun māṁ tyaktodam api bādhate
pibantaṁ tvan-mukhāmbhoja-cyutaṁ hari-kathāmṛtam
Because of my vow on the verge of death, I have given up even drinking water, yet because I am drinking the nectar of topics about Kṛṣṇa, which is flowing from the lotus mouth of Your Lordship, my hunger and thirst, which are extremely difficult to bear, cannot hinder me. SB 10.1.13
tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁ
kavibhir īḍitaṁ kalmaṣāpaham
śravaṇa-maṅgalaṁ śrīmad ātataṁ
bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ
The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one’s sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent. SB 10.31.9
“Then, without hearing poetic works, one cannot develop realization of the elements of rasa?” The answer is given. Among the causes, the strength of rati previously described is the real cause of attaining realization of vibhāva and other elements (tathākṛtau).
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
In this connection Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī gives an example of the clouds in the sky. The clouds in the sky arise from the ocean, and when the clouds become water again and fall to the ground, they glide back to the ocean. Thus the pleasure potency of Kṛṣṇa is compared to the ocean. The pure devotee is the pleasure-possessing cloud, and when he is filled with transcendental loving service, then he can bestow his mercy as a downpour of rain—and the pleasure potency returns to the ocean of Kṛṣṇa.