"When ecstatic love develops into the relationship of parenthood and becomes steadily established, the relationship is called vatsalya-rasa. The exhibition of this vatsalya-rasa standard of devotional service can be found in the dealings of Krishna with His devotees who represent themselves as superior personalities like father, mother and teacher." (Nectar of Devotion, Chap. 43)

Personalities in Parental Affection Toward Krishna
This list is in order of superior important. Mother Yasoda and Nanda Maharaja are considered the supermost of all elderly personalities.
Mother Yasoda
Maharaja Nanda
Mother Rohini, Balarama's mother
All the elderly gopis whose sons were taken away by Lord Brahma.
Devaki, the wife of Vasudeva
Other fifteen wives of Vasudeva
Kunti, the mother of Arjuna
Vasudeva, the real father of Krishna
Sandipani Muni, Krishna's teacher


Madhurya rasa is the relationship with Krishna as the lover and beloved. Although such conjugal feelings are not at all material, there is some similarity between this spiritual love and material activities. Persons who are interested only in material activities are unable to understand this spiritual conjugal love. The relationships with Krishna of Radharani, Krishna's wives in Dwarka, and the gopis are in Madhurya rasa.

"Devotional service following in the footsteps of the gopis of Vrindavana or the queens at Dwarka is called devotional service in conjugal love. The development of conjugal love for Krishna is not manifested in women only. The material body has nothing to do with spiritual loving affairs. "Conjugal love is divided into two classifications-namely, conjugal love as husband and wife and conjugal love as lover and beloved. One who develops conjugal love for Krishna as a wife is promoted to Dwarka, where the devotee becomes the queen of the Lord. One who develops conjugal love for Krishna as a lover is promoted to Goloka Vrindavana, to associate with the gopis and enjoy loving affairs with Krishna there." (Nectar of Devotion, Chap. 16)

Conjugal love is divided into two portions: vipralambha or conjugal love in separation, and sambhoga, or conjugal love in direct contact.