Preface xii
consciousness, then it is guaranteed that we will have at least a human
body in our next life. A human being engaged in Krsna consciousness,
even if unable to complete the course of bhakti-yoga, is allowed to
take birth in the higher division of human society so that he can
automatically further his advancement in Krsna consciousness. There-
fore, all bona fide activities in Krsna consciousness are amrta, or
permanent. This is the subject matter of The Nectar of Devotion.

This eternal engagement in bhakti-rasa can be understood by a
serious student upon studying The Nectar of Devotion. Adoption
of bhakti-rasa or Krsna consciousness will immediately bring one
to an auspicious life free from anxieties and will bless one with
transcendental existence, thus minimizing the value of liberation.
Bhakti-rasa itself is sufficient to produce a feeling of liberation because
it attracts the attention of the Supreme Lord, Krsna. Generally,
neophyte devotees are anxious to see Krsna or God, but God cannot
be seen or known by our present materially blunt senses. The process
of devotional service as it is recommended in The Nectar of Devotion
will gradually elevate one from the material condition of life to the
spiritual status, wherein the devotee becomes purified of all designa-
tions. The senses can then become uncontaminated, being constantly
in touch with bhakti-rasa. When the purified senses are employed in
the service of the Lord, one becomes situated in bhakti-rasa life,
and any action performed for the satisfaction of Krsna in this
transcendental bhakti-rasa stage of life can be relished perpetually.
When one is thus engaged in devotional service, all varieties of rasas or
mellows turn into eternity. In the beginning one is trained according
to the principles of regulation under the guidance of the dcarya or
spiritual master, and gradually, when one is elevated, devotional
service becomes automatic and spontaneous eagerness to serve Krsna.
There are twelve kinds of rasas, as will be explained in this book, and
by renovating our relationship with Krsna in five primary rasas we
can live eternally in full knowledge and bliss.

The basic principle of the living condition is that we have a general
propensity to love someone. No one can live without loving someone
else. This propensity is present in every living being. Even an animal
like a tiger has this loving propensity at least in a dormant stage, and it
