[Advaita-l] Examples of bhakti rasa realization by Advaitins

[Rajaram Venkataramani]

Is there any response to the following? Let me explain the context of this
question. According to Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Buddhism and Jainism teach
people to reject this material world which is full of sorrow as the limited
happiness is also temporary. But they take the follower only to state of
emptiness. Advaitam gives the follower a experience of being the experiencer
(*kaivalya* *and santa rasa*) but ultimately denies the experience of
Ishwara. All the monotheistic world religions such as Christianity, Islam,
Judaism, Shaivam, Saktam, Sauram etc. allow one to experience an aspect of
Ishwara in *dasya bhava. *Even vaishanava sects such as that of Ramanuja,
Madhwa, Vallabha and Nimbharka give *dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and to a
limited extent madhurya bhavas*. They limit madhurya bhava to within the
confines of marriage or *svakiya madhurya bhava*. The speciality of gaudiya
vaishnavam is that it gives all others from *santa to madhurya bhava *but
most importantly gives the experience of *parakiya madhurya bhava, *which is
possible only in the worship of Lord Krishna in the mood of Gopis of
Vrindavana. Their condemnation of other schools of thought is on the basis
that the followers are denied the experience of *parakiya madhurya
bhava, *which
is the purpose of
brahman or pure consciousness. I would like to know if there are any
references to advaitins experiencing madhurya rasa. Madhusudana is said to
have experienced dasya and vatsalya rasas. And Bhakta Meera is said to have
experienced Madhurya Rasa. But both of them can be said to be influenced by
Gaudiya Vaishnavam. As Hari Vamsa and Bhagavatam were both well known to
many advaita acharyas, I would be surprised if they did not experience these
rasas. However, I have not seen evidence thereof. Can someone please point
to one?
On Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 6:21 PM, Rajaram Venkataramani <
rajaramvenk at gmail.com> wrote:

> If we see the legends of vaishnavas, shaivas and saktas, we see that they
> experience direct relationship with the Lord in different bhakti rasas such
> as madhurya, vatsalya, sakhya, dasya etc. Does advaita tradition record
> anything similar more than bhagavat sakshatkaram?
>