Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī | 180,912 words
The English translation of the Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu verse 1.1.11; a medieval era Sanskrit book, written by Rupa Goswami (fl. 15th century) which represents a devotional (bhakti) masterpiece. In this work Goswami describes the nature and different forms of pure love (rasa) as well as various other topics on Vaishnavism and devotion.
Verse 1.1.11
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation:
अन्याभिलाषिता-शून्यं ज्ञान-कर्माद्य्-अनावृतम् ।
आनुकूल्येन कृष्णानुशीलनं भक्तिर् उत्तमा ॥१.१.११॥anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṃ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam |
ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanaṃ bhaktir uttamā ||1.1.11||
English translation
“The highest bhakti is defined as continuous service or emotions directed towards Kṛṣṇa, His expansion forms or others related to Him, with a pleasing attitude towards Kṛṣṇa. It should be devoid of desires other than the desire to please the Lord, and unobstructed by impersonal jñāna, the materialistic rituals of karma or other unfavorable acts.”