In the teachings of Bhakti Ratnakar, Krishna’s divine play, known as vilasa, is said to manifest through six channels, each representing a unique aspect of His transcendental nature. These six channels are:
- Guru (Spiritual Master): The Guru serves as the conduit of divine knowledge and spiritual guidance, representing Krishna’s mercy and wisdom in the material world. Through the Guru, Krishna’s teachings and the path to devotion are revealed to the sincere seeker.
- Krishna Himself: Krishna directly manifests His divine play in the hearts of the devotees, engaging with them in various lilas or pastimes. This direct interaction with Krishna is the essence of vilasa, where devotees experience His presence and love.
- Devotee (Bhakta): Devotees, through their devotion and surrender, become instruments of Krishna’s will. They reflect Krishna’s vilasa in their lives by embodying His teachings and spreading His love and compassion to others.
- Power (Shakti): Krishna’s Shakti or divine energy is another channel through which His vilasa is expressed. This energy manifests in various forms, including the material and spiritual worlds, and through it, Krishna sustains and nurtures creation.
- Incarnation (Avatara): Krishna descends into the world in various avataras to perform specific missions, each revealing different aspects of His divine play. These incarnations are not only historical events but also serve as eternal principles that guide the devotees on the path of righteousness and devotion.
- Revealment (Prakash): Krishna’s vilasa is also revealed through Prakash, the illumination or self-revelation of His divine form and qualities to the devotees. This can happen through visions, dreams, or deep meditative experiences where Krishna unveils His true nature to the seeker.
Each of these channels plays a crucial role in manifesting Krishna’s divine play in the world, allowing devotees to connect with Him on various levels of spiritual experience. Through these manifestations, Krishna continuously engages with His devotees, guiding them toward the ultimate goal of bhakti, or loving devotion.
