The Difference Between Aisvarya and Madhurya

What is the difference between aiśvarya and mādhurya? Aiśvarya-līlās are displays of opulence which cannot be performed by any human being; whereas mādhurya-līlās are those pastimes which appear human-like, even if there is a great display of opulence. If there is no opulence, activities are simply mundane. There may be opulence in mādhurya-mayī-līlā, but that līlā still appears sweet and human- like, so it is called mādhurya. Whether opulence is clearly present or not, in mādhurya-līlā there does not seem to be opulence.

In Goloka Vṛndāvana the opulence is covered. Kṛṣṇa’s mādhurya-līlā includes aiśvarya. When Kṛṣṇa lifted Govardhana Hill, the cowherd boys thought that He must be getting tired. They considered, “We should also help to hold up Govardhana with our sticks.” Others thought, “Because of Nanda Mahārāja’s austerities, Lord Nārāyaṇa had entered Kṛṣṇa’s body. It is actually Lord Nārāyaṇa who is holding up Govardhana.” The gopīs were glaring upon Govardhana and they said to him, “If you fall down on Kṛṣṇa, we will curse you.” So, these are human-like pastimes.

Srila Gurudeva – March 12, 2000 Navadvīpa

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