Bhakti: A Critical Appraisal of Madhusudana Sarasvati

Madhusudana Sarasvati was a prominent Advaita philosopher in the post Sankara period who vehemently upheld Advaita. He was an ardent devotee of Sri Krsna since his childhood. After a deep study of Advaita, he became convinced of its superiority. He then became a sanyasi and continued his devotion to Sri Krsna, which is considered an intriguing paradox. Madhusudana has become a champion in both Advaita and theism. He established Bhakti as an independent means of liberation with scriptural authority. In his exclusive devotional work, Bhaktirasayana, he introduced a novel concept of Bhakti as a rasa and proclaimed that it was the superior rasa. In addition to that, he also presented rasa as a synonym of Brahman and nanda. He posited that Bhakti and Brahman both culminate in blissful experiences, and Bhakti is essential at all stages of spiritual practices. He dispelled the notion that Advaita is devoid of Bhakti. While only few people of intellectual capability can adopt Jnana Marga, Madhusudana, as enlightened personality, felt that everyone has a right to liberation. Bhakti, he declared, can be practiced universally, and one can adopt any path of their choice according to one's attitude and capability. Madhusudana's advice to the common people is to consume the elixir of Bhakti, get rid of life's maladies, and experience bliss free from even a trace of sorrow.