PURPORT

In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, the following definition is given:

athasyah kesava-rater
laksitaya nigadyate
samagri-pariposena
parama rasa-rupata

vibhavair anubhavais ca
sattvikair vyabhicaribhih
svadyatvam hrdi bhaktanam
anita sravanadibhih
esa krsna-ratih sthayi
bhavo bhakti-raso bhavet

Love for Krsna, Kesava, as previously described, reaches the supreme state of being composed of mellows when its ingredients are fulfilled. By means of vibhava, anubhava, sattvika and vyabhicari, hearing and chanting are activated, and the devotee is able to taste love for Krsna. Then attachment for Krsna, or permanent ecstasy (sthayi-bhava), becomes the mellow of devotional service (bhakti-rasa).