Significance of Sweetness
In Vaishnavism, sweetness encompasses various delightful qualities associated with beauty, virtue, and divine love. It describes the charming demeanor of the Lord, the affectionate nature of women's character, and the profound allure radiating from Hari's face. Sweetness also highlights the appeals of the holy name and the divine relationship between devotees and the Lord. Additionally, in other texts like the Purana and Natyashastra, sweetness signifies pleasant dispositions, qualities of charm, and the gratifying essence found in dietary restraint and the lotus.
Synonyms: Desirability, Pleasantness, Charm, Loveliness, Agreeableness
In Dutch: Zoetheid; In Finnish: Makeus; In Spanish: Dulzura; In German: ³§Ã¼ÃŸ±ð
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Sweetness'
In Hinduism, "Sweetness" embodies various appealing qualities, including the delightful nature of divine names, attributes of deities like Rama, and the charm in beauty and virtues, enhancing relationships and experiences within spiritual contexts.
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) The pleasing quality of the woman’s character or aura, associated with affection and gentleness.[1] (2) A pleasant and gentle quality associated with the Lord's demeanor.[2] (3) the quality that is to be derived from the rasa dance, emphasizing pleasure and charm[3] (4) The delightful nature or charm of the subject's beauty and virtues, as mentioned in the text.[4]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) the profound qualities and charm not fully describable[5] (2) Refers to the quality of sweetness that is absent in Ayodhya and Vaikuntha.[6] (3) the delightful and satisfying quality of the holy name, contributing to its appeal.[7]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) The pleasant and delightful quality of divine love that characterizes the relationship between devotees and the Lord.[8] (2) A quality radiated by Hari's face, contributing to the overall beauty and allure described in the passage.[9]
From: Natyashastra (English)
(1) A quality that ensures a composition remains delightful and engaging to the audience over time.[10]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)
(1) The text mentions 'sweetness' as a characteristic of Rama, indicating that he possesses a pleasant and agreeable disposition.[11]
The concept of Sweetness in local and regional sources
Sweetness symbolizes the desirable qualities and essence of the lotus, encapsulating its beauty and allure while serving as a metaphor for its revered attributes in various cultural contexts.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Metaphor for the essence or desirable qualities that the lotus possesses.[12]