36 / Transcendental Affection
(Servitude)

The transcendental mellow of affection has been accepted by au-
thorities like Sridhara Svami as a perfectional stage of devotion. It is
just above the humor of neutrality and is a requisite for the develop-
ment of the serving humor. In literature such as Nama-kaumudi this
state of existence is accepted as continual affection for or attraction
to Krsna. Authorities like Sukadeva consider this stage of affection
to be in the neutral stage, but in any case this affection is relished by
the devotees in different transcendental tastes, and therefore the
general name for this state is affection, or pure affection for Krsna.

Devotees engaged in servitude are attached to Krsna in the af-
fection of reverence. Some of the inhabitants of Gokula (Vrndavana
as exhibited on earth) are attached to Krsna on this platform of af-
fection in reverence. The inhabitants of Vrndavana used to say,
“Krsna is always manifest before us with a complexion like a blackish
cloud. He holds His wonderful flute in His lotus hands. He is dressed
in yellow silks and bedecked with a peacock feather on His head.
When Krsna walks near Govardhan Hill with these personal features,
all the inhabitants of the heavenly planets, as well as the inhabitants
of this earth, feel transcendental bliss and consider themselves the
eternal servants of the Lord.’’ Sometimes the devotee becomes filled
with the same awe and reverence by seeing a picture of Visnu, who is
dressed like Krsna and who has a similar complexion. The only dif-
ference is that Visnu has four hands, in which He holds the conch-
shell, the disc, the club and the lotus flower. Lord Visnu is always
decorated with many valuable jewels, such as the candrakdnta stone
and the stiryakanta stone.

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