Bhakti Ras (भक्ति रस) — Paribhasha, Sthayi Bhava aur Udaharan

Bhakti Ras Definition: Bhakti Ras arises when a poet expresses intense devotion, love, or surrender towards God, the divine, or a sacred being. The reader or listener experiences a feeling of peaceful, uplifting devotion.

Key Components:

1. Sthayi Bhava: Ishwar-Vishayak Rati (ईश्वर-विषयक रति) — Devotional love directed towards God

2. Alambhan Vibhav (Cause/Object): — God in various forms: Krishna, Rama, Shiva, Devi — Guru or divine teacher

3. Uddipan Vibhav (Stimulants): — Temples, chanting, bhajans, sacred festivals, divine leelas — Stories of God's grace and miracles

4. Anubhav (Reactions): — Tears of devotion, folded hands, prostration — Singing bhajans, loss of self-consciousness, ecstasy (samadhi)

5. Sanchari Bhava: — Harsha (joy), Dhrti (patience), Vismaya (wonder), Shanti (peace)

Bhakti Ras vs Shringar Ras: — Both involve 'rati' (love), but Bhakti Ras is directed towards the divine — Shringar Ras is romantic love between human beings — In Meera Bai's poetry, the love for Krishna is both Bhakti Ras and sometimes has Shringar Ras elements (divine Madhura Bhakti)

Example 1 — Meera Bai: "मेरे तो गिरधर गोपाल, दूसरो न कोई। जाके सिर मोर मुकुट, मेरो पति सोई।।" → Meera declares Krishna as her only lord and husband — pure Bhakti Ras. Sthayi Bhava: Ishwar-Vishayak Rati.

Example 2 — Tulsidas (Ramcharitmanas): "राम नाम मणिदीप धरु, जीह देहरी द्वार। तुलसी भीतर बाहेरहु, जौं चाहसि उजियार।।" → Tulsidas urges keeping Ram's name as a lamp — deep devotion. Bhakti Ras.

Example 3 — Surdas: "मैया मोही दाऊ बहुत खिझायो। मोसों कहत मोल को लीन्हों, तू जसुमति कब जायो।।" → Child Krishna complains to Yashoda — Vatsalya + Bhakti Ras blend.

Example 4 — Simple Modern Example: "हे प्रभु! तेरी शरण में आया हूँ, तेरे बिना जीवन सूना है मेरा।" → Simple surrender to God — Bhakti Ras with Ishwar-Vishayak Rati.

Example 5 — Kabirdas: "राम नाम का हीरा है, रखो अंचल बाँध। बाजार में क्या बेचना, बोलो माल अनाथ।।" → Kabir's devotion to the name of Ram — Bhakti Ras.

Example 6 — Simple devotional lines: "भगवान के चरणों में माथा टेक कर, भक्त का मन शांत हो गया, आँखें भर आईं।" → Reaction of tears and peace — Bhakti Ras Anubhav clearly seen.

Key Points to Remember:

• Bhakti Ras = Rasa of Devotion to God • Sthayi Bhava = Ishwar-Vishayak Rati (ईश्वर-विषयक रति) • NOT in the original Ashtarasa of Bharata Muni's Natyashastra • Added later by scholars — sometimes called the 9th or 10th rasa • Some scholars consider Shanta Ras as 9th and Bhakti Ras as 10th

Prominent Poets of Bhakti Ras: — Meera Bai (devotion to Krishna) — Tulsidas (devotion to Rama) — Surdas (devotion to Krishna — Vatsalya Bhakti) — Kabirdas (Nirguna Bhakti) — Ravidas, Namdev (Sant tradition)

Types of Bhakti reflected in Bhakti Ras:

1. Madhura Bhakti — loving devotion (Meera, Radha-Krishna)
2. Vatsalya Bhakti — parental love for God (Yashoda-Krishna in Surdas)
3. Sakhya Bhakti — friendship with God (Arjuna-Krishna)
4. Dasya Bhakti — servant's devotion (Hanuman-Rama in Tulsidas)
5. Shanta Bhakti — peaceful, meditative devotion (Kabir)