Ujjvala-nilamani By Srila Rupa Gosvami (Hardcover – English)

Sri Ujjvala-nilamani is the crown jewel among rasa-shastras, composed by Srila Rupa Gosvami, the foremost acharya of bhakti-rasa within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. It serves as a supplement to Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, which outlines all rasas but only briefly touches upon madhurya-rasa, the conjugal mellow. This profound work delves deeply into the dynamics of divine romantic love, especially the pastimes of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna in Vraja-dhama.
Following the classical analysis of bhavas—vibhava (causes), anubhava (external expressions), vyabhicari-bhava (transitory emotions), sattvika-bhava (ecstatic symptoms), and sthayi-bhava (permanent mood)—Rupa Gosvami presents a systematized theology of divine love unlike any other.
 
Key Highlights
Explains parakiya (paramour) and svakiya (wedded) forms of love
Sri Jiva Gosvami, in his commentary, upholds svakiya-rasa
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura highlights the superiority of parakiya-rasa in terms of rasa-shastra
Scholarly yet devotional translation by HH Bhanu Swami, a respected disciple of Srila Prabhupada
This book is an essential read for those desiring a deeper understanding of madhurya-rasa, the most intimate relationship with the Supreme Lord. It is a cornerstone in the study of Rupanuga-bhakti and is revered by acharyas as a divine revelation on the transcendental love shared between Sri Radha and Sri Krishna.
 
A must-have for serious practitioners and scholars of Gaudiya literature.