Post-enlightenment research : bhava. (in the bhakti yoga tradtion, service to God remains after enlightenment)

1. The Buddhist Perspective: The Cessation of Bhava

In Buddhism, bhava means "becoming" or "process of worldly existence". It is the 10th link in the 12 Links of Dependent Origination (Pratītyasamutpāda), directly fueled by grasping (upādāna) and leading directly to birth, aging, and death. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Therefore, in an enlightened being (an Arhat or a Buddha), post-enlightenment is characterized by Bhava-nirodha—the total cessation of becoming. [1]

No Karmic Fuel: Because an enlightened being has completely uprooted ignorance and craving, they no longer generate the karmic energy (kamma-bhava) required to propel consciousness into future realms of existence. [1, 2]
Living without "Self-Projecting": Psychologically, the habit of constructing a rigid identity or "becoming someone" ceases. They exist in the world, interact, and teach, but without the underlying attachment or delusion of a permanent self. [1, 2, 3]
The Final State: When the physical body of an enlightened person dies, they enter Parinirvana, meaning they are completely liberated from the cycle of samsara and future bhava. [1, 2]

2. The Hindu / Vedantic Perspective: The Bhāva of Being and Devotion

In Hinduism, bhāva means "inner feeling," "spiritual disposition," or "the state of divine being." Rather than trying to extinguish bhāva, many Hindu paths describe the post-enlightenment state as the perfection or sublimation of bhāva.

Non-Dualism (Advaita Vedanta)

For a Jivanmukta (one who is liberated while still alive), post-enlightenment bhāva is the state of absolute oneness (Brahma-bhāva).

The internal disposition shifts permanently to Sat-Chit-Ananda (Truth-Consciousness-Bliss).
The enlightened person views the entire universe not as separate objects, but as a manifestation of the singular Self (Atman/Brahman). Their bhāva is one of unshakeable equanimity, deep peace, and detachment from worldly dualities.

Devotional Paths (Bhakti Yoga)

In the Bhakti tradition (such as Gaudiya Vaishnavism or Ramakrishna's teachings), an enlightened soul chooses to maintain a specific devotional bhāva (mood) to interact with the Divine, even after realizing ultimate reality. Rather than dissolving into the absolute, they keep a trace of "I" to experience the sweetness of divine love:

Shanta Bhāva: A state of peaceful, quiet adoration and awe of the Divine.
Dasya Bhāva: The inner disposition of being a loving, humble servant to the Divine.
Sakhya Bhāva: Feeling a sense of divine friendship and equality with the Supreme.
Vatsalya Bhāva: A protective, parental love directed toward the Divine (e.g., loving Krishna as a child).
Madhura Bhāva: The highest ecstatic mood of lover and beloved, viewing the Divine as the ultimate soulmate.

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Summary of Differences

Feature	Buddhist Bhava	Hindu/Vedantic Bhāva
Core Meaning	Worldly becoming, karmic existence, rebirth.	Inner emotional state, spiritual disposition, divine being.
Post-Enlightenment Goal	Cessation (Bhava-nirodha). The wheel of becoming is broken.	Perfection (Brahma-bhāva or Bhakti-bhāva). Purified into absolute oneness or divine love.
The Result	Freedom from rebirth and identity-clinging.	Abiding in permanent bliss, cosmic unity, or continuous ecstatic devotion.