Hari Bhakti Vilasa is a seminal work written by Sanatana Gosvami, a prominent disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. The text, also known as the Bhakti Vilasa, is a comprehensive treatise on the philosophy and practices of Bhakti Yoga, or the path of devotion to Lord Krishna. The work is considered a foundational text of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and has had a profound impact on the development of the tradition.
The text was written in the late 15th or early 16th century CE, during a period of significant spiritual and philosophical ferment in India. The Bhakti movement, which emphasized devotion to a personal deity as a means of spiritual liberation, was gaining momentum, and Sanatana Gosvami's work was an important contribution to this movement.
Hari Bhakti Vilasa consists of 10 chapters, or "vilasas," which explore various aspects of Bhakti Yoga. The text is written in a lucid and systematic style, making it accessible to scholars and practitioners alike.
The sixth chapter, "Bhava Vilasa," explores the emotional and psychological aspects of Bhakti Yoga, including the development of love and devotion to Lord Krishna.