The Five Modes
Pañca-bhāva ('five emotional attitudes') describes five modes of intimate devotional relationship (rasa) with Bhagavān:
- Śānta — serene equanimity; the liberated sage who rests in the Lord's being
- Dāsya — servitude; the loving servant (Hanumān toward Rāma)
- Sakhya — friendship; the intimate companion (Arjuna toward Kṛṣṇa)
- Vātsalya — parental nurturing love (Yaśodā toward Kṛṣṇa)
- Mādhurya — romantic divine love; the Gopīs' love for Kṛṣṇa
Sri Vaishnava Emphasis
While all five are recognized, the Sri Vaishnava tradition places particular emphasis on dāsya and vātsalya as naturally aligned with the śeṣatva-śeṣī framework: the soul is the Lord's servant and the Lord is the soul's parent. The mādhurya bhāva finds its supreme expression in Nammāzhvār's Tiruvāymozhi.