"Inspired by the faith on fundamental, eternal values of life, whoever 'hears' the pure, untainted and sacred saga of love of the Gopis of Vrndavan or narrates it to others with the motive of the welfare of others, will gain Para-bhakti - his love will turn into 'divine love' or `Prem-yoga'. And along with this he will be freed forever from lust which is like the most dreadful, incurable disease, which spoils the entire life; lust will vanish forever from his heart."

We are very much pleased to present to the readers, "The Spirit of Ras-Lila in Srimad Bhagavatam", an English translation from the original Marathi book written by Swami Shivatatvananda, Ramakrishna Math, Nagpur, published in the year 1968.

Srimad Bhagavatam is a supreme and ideal holy book on Bhaktisastra, the science of devotion, composed by Maharsi Vyas. Love abides in the heart of each and every human being. Love is a great power but we must rightly know how to handle it, how to use it. Generally man turns the flow of his love towards empirical or temporal matters which are subject to destruction. Due to this, his love turns into attachment and he has to suffer for it but if this love is turned towards God it becomes divine and by this divine love man is liberated forever from the cycle ofbirth and death.

Gopis of Vraj and their Ras-Lila is the excellent example of divine love. In the present text, both empirical and divine love are described in details and the real swarup, the nature of Ras-Lild is clearly expounded and through it the secret of Gopis' divine love is explained.

We are sure the readers of this book will be enlightened regarding the science of love which brings real fulfillment in life.

We extend our hearty thanks to Mr. Bhagbat Chakraborty of Meteor Books for publishing and Malti Prints ofAurangabad for efficient work of printing.

** Sample Pages**