281 The Nectar of Devotion

Sridama and Sudama, or to follow Nanda and Yagoda, devotees in
parenthood. Ecstatic love for Krsna is never manifested directly with
Krsna Himself. The devotee has to follow in the footsteps of the
eternal associates of Krsna in Goloka Vrndavana.

When transcendental humors in relationship with Krsna become
mixed (e.g., when the relationships with Krsna in friendship, servitor-
ship and parental love become mixed together), the result is called
mixed humor or flavor. Such mixed transcendental flavors are mani-
fested by such devotees as Uddhava, Bhima and Mukhara, the per-
sonal attendant of Mother Yasoda. Although devotional humors are
sometimes found in mixtures, a particular humor is always found to
be a prominent and constant factor. That prominent humor is to be
accepted as the devotee’s main relationship with Krsna. For example,

Uddhava is in relationship with Krsna as a friend, but in Uddhava’s
character a trace of servitude to Krsna is also visible. Such friendship

is called friendship in reverence. The friendship typified by Sridama
and Sudama, however, is the standard of friendship without any tinge
of reverence.

Subordinate Ecstatic Love

The devotees who always think of Krsna as a superior are in sub-
ordinate ecstatic love. To such a devotee the concept of inferiority to
the Lord is very prominent, and he rarely takes interest in any other
kind of transcendental loving humor with the Lord.

In the Mukunda-mala-stotra compiled by King Kulasgekhara, one
of the prayers says, ““My dear Lord, You are the deliverer of living
entities from the hellish condition of materialistic life, but that does
not matter to me. Whether I am elevated to the heavenly platform or
remain on this earthly planet or am dispatched to some hellish
planet, that does not matter at all to me. My only prayer is that at
the time of my death I may simply remember Your two beautiful
feet, which are just like lotus flowers fructifying during the autumn
season.”

Friendship

As far as friendship is concerned, those high-grade devotees who
