Verse Text
tatra śānta-bhakti-rasaḥ –
vakṣyamāṇair vibhāvādyaiḥ śamināṁ svādyatāṁ gataḥ
sthāyī śānti-ratir dhīraiḥ śānta-bhakti-rasaḥ smṛtaḥ ||4||
Translation
If the sthāyi-bhāva called śanta-rati mixes with the elements of vibhāva and others which will now be described, and is relished by persons possessing śama, the wise call this śānta-bhakti-rasa.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
Sthāyī (what is permanent) here is a synonym for sthāyi-bhāva, just as Bhīma means Bhīmasena. Therefore, the sthāyi-bhāva is that which does not give up its form. When the particular sthāyi-bhāva called śānta-rati becomes pleasurable (svādyatāṁ gataḥ) or takes on a pleasurable form for those who are śama (śaminām), after mixing with the vibhāvas etc. which will be described, it is called śānta-bhakti-rasa by the wise. Though three types of śuddha-rati—sāmānya, svaccha and śānti—have already been described, [Note: These are described in 2.5.8.] only śānta-rati gives rise to rasa. That is because in sāmānya-śuddha-rati the components of rasa cannot be nourished since sāmānya-śuddha-rati is undeveloped or weak. In svaccha-śuddha-rati, the components of rasa such as vibhāva and anubhāva cannot be nourished since svaccha-śuddha-rati is unstable in nature.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
When one is actually able to maintain the transcendental position, his stage is called neutrality in devotional service. Some great sages have attained this neutral position by practicing austerity, penance and meditation to control the senses.