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The Nectar of Devotion
We cannot be happy without satisfying our fundamental desire to love. Discover all the intricacies of spiritual love, bhakti, in this devotional classic.
This is a summary study of Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, the Vaishnava classic written by Rupa Goswami that analyzes the various stages of bhakti (devotion) as a methodical practice resulting in love of God.
Rupa Goswami uses a metaphor comparing an ocean (sindhu) to a devotional relationship with God. The title of the book conveys that loving relationships are enjoyable like sweet nectar and deep like an ocean. However, devotion is truly only meant for the supreme beloved, Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada has written this summary study to show the essential understanding of the practices and ideals of Krishna consciousness, and to introduce the Western world to the beauty of devotional concepts.
The spiritually thirsty can develop their relationship with Krishna by drinking from the unlimited reservoir of The Nectar of Devotion. Drink deeply.
Librarian's edit:
The book does have an ISBN of 0912776050.
This is a summary study of Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, the Vaishnava classic written by Rupa Goswami that analyzes the various stages of bhakti (devotion) as a methodical practice resulting in love of God.
Rupa Goswami uses a metaphor comparing an ocean (sindhu) to a devotional relationship with God. The title of the book conveys that loving relationships are enjoyable like sweet nectar and deep like an ocean. However, devotion is truly only meant for the supreme beloved, Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada has written this summary study to show the essential understanding of the practices and ideals of Krishna consciousness, and to introduce the Western world to the beauty of devotional concepts.
The spiritually thirsty can develop their relationship with Krishna by drinking from the unlimited reservoir of The Nectar of Devotion. Drink deeply.
Librarian's edit:
The book does have an ISBN of 0912776050.
523 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1970
121 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
A.C. Bhaktivedanta
814 books711 followersHis Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (अभय चरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामी प्रभुपाद)was born as Abhay Charan De on 1 September 1896 in Calcutta, India.
He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.
At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.
In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.
He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.
At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.
In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 24, 2016
This is a good read for the most part. I appreciate and admire Sri Prabhupada Ji's great devotion.
However, there are many things Sri Prabhupada Ji says that I do not agree with. I particularly do not agree with him speaking negatively about those who follow the path of advaita (especially since my own experiences with leaving the body, many times since childhood, has shown me that advaita is The Truth - well before I even knew the word - I know We Are All One) or those who believe differently than him. There are many paths to The One Truth.
I also know that our own levels of consciousness determines what we are able to perceive and what Sri Prabhupada Ji has taught, he truly believed as Truth and his heart and intentions were in the right place. His undying devotion gives us the perfect example of bhakti yoga, from which we can all learn. Bhakti yoga is indeed the easiest and simplest path to self-realization.
As with any information we receive from outside of the self, no matter the source, we must take it in for processing and see how it resonates with our heart and intuition. Always let your intuition be your guide.
Har Har Mahadev!
However, there are many things Sri Prabhupada Ji says that I do not agree with. I particularly do not agree with him speaking negatively about those who follow the path of advaita (especially since my own experiences with leaving the body, many times since childhood, has shown me that advaita is The Truth - well before I even knew the word - I know We Are All One) or those who believe differently than him. There are many paths to The One Truth.
I also know that our own levels of consciousness determines what we are able to perceive and what Sri Prabhupada Ji has taught, he truly believed as Truth and his heart and intentions were in the right place. His undying devotion gives us the perfect example of bhakti yoga, from which we can all learn. Bhakti yoga is indeed the easiest and simplest path to self-realization.
As with any information we receive from outside of the self, no matter the source, we must take it in for processing and see how it resonates with our heart and intuition. Always let your intuition be your guide.
Har Har Mahadev!
July 12, 2016
A favorite, use it as a reference
November 13, 2009
This books develops from the beginning stages of devotion gradually unto the outer limits of the highest ecstasies in relationship to love of Godhead, love of Krishna and their qualities and progressions. I like it because it has lots of nice little descriptions of Krishna and His associates in their pastimes and is most pleasant to read. It was written in the 15th century in India by Srila Rupa Goswami and translated in the 70s by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who is linked directly to Rupa Goswami through the disiplic succession.
April 25, 2020
Masterpiece!
November 24, 2021
Just finished this. This book has some very good concepts on Devotion. However, what I didn't like is the author's opinion about the genuineness of devotion. As per the author, worshipping only Krishna is correct. Worshipping anyone else is outright wrong. He even goes to an extent of calling such practices of worshipping others offensive. I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. Lot of things about this Lord resonate with me. And I have experienced an immense sense of ecstatic happiness by praying to Lord Shiva many times. But this author calls Lord Shiva a demy god. Whenever he speaks about Lord Shiva he uses an expression of an assistant, a subordinate.
Such thoughts are extremist in nature. He has no right to dictate or call some devotion wrong.
Didn't really like reading - finished it somehow.
Such thoughts are extremist in nature. He has no right to dictate or call some devotion wrong.
Didn't really like reading - finished it somehow.
October 29, 2017
Dear Diciples and friends of His Divine Grace Bhaktivendanta Svami Srila Prabhupada, indeed Nectar, to arrive to my eyes, with no extra wiggle room for imagination, due to terms of developong piety, towards favoring a sobered devotional lifestyle. So long that inaction is favored over the flowery language of the vedas, your teachings repeat through thought as though embedded as necessary commentary for daily living from this compilation of texts.
June 23, 2020
Very captivating book! Must read for all those who are interested to know about Devotion
September 15, 2024
THE FOUNDER OF THE "HARE KRISHNA" MOVMENT EXPLAINS BHAKTI (DEVOTIONAL) YOGA
Abhay Charanaravinda (A.C.) Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) was the Founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON; the "Hare Krishna Movement"). He wrote many books/booklets, such as 'Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead,' 'The Path of Perfection,' 'Yoga for the Modern Age,' 'The scientific basis of Krsna consciousness,' 'The Perfection of Yoga,' 'Perfect Questions Perfect Answers,' 'Beyond Birth and Death,' etc., and translated many East Indian scriptures, such as 'Bhagavad-Gita As It Is,' 'Srimad-Bhagavatam,' 'First Canto,' etc. His "authorized" biography is: 'Prabhupada: He Built a House in Which the Whole World Can Live.'
He says, "Srila Kapiladeva... states that there are six characteristics of pure devotional service, which are as follows: 1) Pure devotional service brings immediate relief from all kinds of material distress. 2) Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness. 3) Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure. 4) Pure devotional service is rarely achieved. 5) Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation. 6) Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Krsna. Krsna is all-attractive, but pure devotional service attracts even Him. This means that pure devotional service is even transcendentally stronger then Krsna Himself, because it is Krsna's internal potency." (Pg. 1-2)
He suggests, "The Krsna consciousness movement, however, is so nice that it can render the highest benefit to the entire human race. Everyone can be attracted by this movement, and everyone can feel the result." (Pg. 7) He cautions, "there may be many liberated persons who might have merged into the existence of the impersonal Brahman, but a devotee of the Supreme Personality of the Godhead... is very, very rare. Even out of millions of liberated persons, only one is fortunate enough to become a devotee." (Pg. 43)
He asserts, "Lord Buddha is accepted as an incarnation of Krsna in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, but in the same Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that Lord Buddha appeared in order to bewilder the atheist class of men. Therefore his philosophy is meant for bewildering the atheists and should not be accepted.... The so-called religionists were falsely using the Vedas to justify such violent acts as meat-eating, and Lord Buddha came to lead the fallen people away from such a false interpretation of the Vedas. Also, for the atheist class, Lord Buddha preached atheism so that they would follow him and thus be tricked into devotional service to Lord Buddha, or Krsna." (Pg. 61)
He says, "The spiritual master as the visible manifestation of Krsna is necessary, therefore, to direct the devotee on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead... A devotee is naturally nonviolent and therefore doesn't have to practice nonviolence separately. Some people seek purification by joining a vegetarian movement, but a devotee is automatically a vegetarian. He doesn't need to practice separately in this matter or to join any society for vegetarians. He is automatically a vegetarian." (Pg. 117)
He points out, "Srila Rupa Goswami states that although Lord Krsna is the reservoir of unlimited pleasure and the greatest leader of all, He is still dependent upon His devotees in three ways.... When He exhibits Himself in fullness, He is appreciated by great learned scholars as most perfect. When He exhibits Himself in lesser degrees, He is called very perfect. And when he exhibits still less, He is called perfect. This means that Krsna is appreciated for three degrees of perfection... If one asks how a personality can be beheld in four quite opposing ways, the answer is that the Lord is the reservoir of all transcendental qualities and activities... there is no contradiction." (Pg. 200)
He admits, "A pure devotee's attraction to Krsna in conjugal love is called devotional service in conjugal love. Although such conjugal feelings are not at all material, there is some similarity between this spiritual love and material activities. Therefore, persons who are interested only in material activities are unable to understand this spiritual conjugal love, and these devotional reciprocations appear very mysterious to them." (Pg. 360)
Prabhupada's books will be of great interest to anyone interested in the Krishna movement.
Abhay Charanaravinda (A.C.) Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) was the Founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON; the "Hare Krishna Movement"). He wrote many books/booklets, such as 'Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead,' 'The Path of Perfection,' 'Yoga for the Modern Age,' 'The scientific basis of Krsna consciousness,' 'The Perfection of Yoga,' 'Perfect Questions Perfect Answers,' 'Beyond Birth and Death,' etc., and translated many East Indian scriptures, such as 'Bhagavad-Gita As It Is,' 'Srimad-Bhagavatam,' 'First Canto,' etc. His "authorized" biography is: 'Prabhupada: He Built a House in Which the Whole World Can Live.'
He says, "Srila Kapiladeva... states that there are six characteristics of pure devotional service, which are as follows: 1) Pure devotional service brings immediate relief from all kinds of material distress. 2) Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness. 3) Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure. 4) Pure devotional service is rarely achieved. 5) Those in pure devotional service deride even the conception of liberation. 6) Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Krsna. Krsna is all-attractive, but pure devotional service attracts even Him. This means that pure devotional service is even transcendentally stronger then Krsna Himself, because it is Krsna's internal potency." (Pg. 1-2)
He suggests, "The Krsna consciousness movement, however, is so nice that it can render the highest benefit to the entire human race. Everyone can be attracted by this movement, and everyone can feel the result." (Pg. 7) He cautions, "there may be many liberated persons who might have merged into the existence of the impersonal Brahman, but a devotee of the Supreme Personality of the Godhead... is very, very rare. Even out of millions of liberated persons, only one is fortunate enough to become a devotee." (Pg. 43)
He asserts, "Lord Buddha is accepted as an incarnation of Krsna in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, but in the same Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that Lord Buddha appeared in order to bewilder the atheist class of men. Therefore his philosophy is meant for bewildering the atheists and should not be accepted.... The so-called religionists were falsely using the Vedas to justify such violent acts as meat-eating, and Lord Buddha came to lead the fallen people away from such a false interpretation of the Vedas. Also, for the atheist class, Lord Buddha preached atheism so that they would follow him and thus be tricked into devotional service to Lord Buddha, or Krsna." (Pg. 61)
He says, "The spiritual master as the visible manifestation of Krsna is necessary, therefore, to direct the devotee on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead... A devotee is naturally nonviolent and therefore doesn't have to practice nonviolence separately. Some people seek purification by joining a vegetarian movement, but a devotee is automatically a vegetarian. He doesn't need to practice separately in this matter or to join any society for vegetarians. He is automatically a vegetarian." (Pg. 117)
He points out, "Srila Rupa Goswami states that although Lord Krsna is the reservoir of unlimited pleasure and the greatest leader of all, He is still dependent upon His devotees in three ways.... When He exhibits Himself in fullness, He is appreciated by great learned scholars as most perfect. When He exhibits Himself in lesser degrees, He is called very perfect. And when he exhibits still less, He is called perfect. This means that Krsna is appreciated for three degrees of perfection... If one asks how a personality can be beheld in four quite opposing ways, the answer is that the Lord is the reservoir of all transcendental qualities and activities... there is no contradiction." (Pg. 200)
He admits, "A pure devotee's attraction to Krsna in conjugal love is called devotional service in conjugal love. Although such conjugal feelings are not at all material, there is some similarity between this spiritual love and material activities. Therefore, persons who are interested only in material activities are unable to understand this spiritual conjugal love, and these devotional reciprocations appear very mysterious to them." (Pg. 360)
Prabhupada's books will be of great interest to anyone interested in the Krishna movement.
May 19, 2020
Beautiful!
July 23, 2020
Very good book . Thanks to almighty for making me read this .
June 5, 2024
Interesting summary of Bhakti philosophy.
I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews