Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 10.01.2019 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

Question of Yadunath: Who can represent the spiritual masters? 

Swami Tirtha: In general we can say that every disciple represents the spiritual master. Because from the fruit you can understand the tree. All the disciples are fruits of the tree, so they represent the tree. Nevertheless, there are some nice fruits and there are some… smaller ones. Some have a biological system inside. Others have fallen on the ground. There are different fruits on the same tree. Some are ripe, tasty, juicy; other are a little sour. But in general we can say that each and every disciple has the right to represent their spiritual master. And the opposite is also true, according to you people will understand your master – they will judge your master, your faith, your God. If you behave stupidly, they will say: “Ah, you have a stupid religion, therefore you are stupid.” So we have to be very careful about this representation. Because we are not on our own. 

At the same time, we usually think: to represent the spiritual masters is like to be a successor – if I am correct? Usually as long as the master is still alive, this representation can happen only according to delegation – when the master will delegate the position to a chosen disciple: “You are my representative.” This is called the ritvik system – when one or more disciples represent the spiritual master in certain different functions. And when the master has withdrawn from this planet Earth, then the chance for this general representation of the spiritual master comes in the life of all the disciples. They are entitled to represent their masters, to represent the mission, the line to others. And sometimes you represent our tradition in a very simple manner – that you are a nice person and people appreciate your faith and your belonging to a spiritual tradition. Or some will go forward officially, share the message what they have learned from their master and invite others to join. This is a special type of representation – when we try to carry on the mission of our masters. Most probably few devotees will do this kind of service. One, two or few successors will carry on the mission officially, as spiritual authorities. 

But actually, what is most important is the unseen mission of the master. This inner representation is more important than any external activities. How can we serve or represent the spiritual master properly? I think you all know the answer – if you follow the teachings nicely. But to whom will the spiritual power be delegated to carry on the majority of missionary activities – that depends on Krishna’s grace. It’s not a human decision. Sometimes we have seen masters who have decided: “He will be my successor”. In some cases it worked nicely. In other cases we have seen it didn’t work out. Somehow the spiritual power was delegated to another person, not to the officially chosen one. So it depends on Krishna’s grace. It is also described very nicely in the Krishna Book how it happens. Masters, or teachers, or saints, they enjoy a special power from the Supreme. When they die, when they disappear from this planet Earth, there is a vacuum. But the power is there. And that spiritual power needs a person who will carry it on. Therefore I can say that this divine arrangement will find a person who will elevate and improve himself or herself to be a proper representative – even if in the beginning he is not. So it is said that this divine power will descend upon somebody and then starts to function again. Sometimes this is according to the chosen and delegated official positions and sometimes it’s not. 

But all the qualified disciples have the right to represent their masters. The unqualified, they don’t have the right, but nevertheless they will also represent their masters. 

But which real disciple will feel that ‘I can represent my master’? I think it’s impossible, right? You cannot replace the Sun if it is setting. You cannot replace the Sun. Gurudev was called the Bright Star of the Orient by his brothers. How can you substitute a bright star? It’s impossible! When it’s gone, it’s gone. Of course, it should always be there on the horizon of your inner heart. And a surrendered soul would feel: ‘It’s not my life. My God, my beloved deity, my master is living through me.’ Then They will represent themselves. It’s only a question of surrender. 

And it happened in Mahaprabhu’s case. Once He met a brahmin and this brahmin was very delicate in understanding the positions. Immediately when he saw Mahaprabhu, he could sense His aura, he could sense the blessings of Mahaprabhu’s spiritual master. So he approached Mahaprabhu and said, “Dandavat pranam! Are you not a disciple of Shripad Ishvara Puri?” And Mahaprabhu said, “Yes, I am”. So if you have the eye, you will see the master in the disciple, the power of that spiritual authority over the person. And if you are sensitive enough, you will understand who is who. 

Just like the senior elder devotees said, that when Shrila Prabhupada was still present on this planet Earth, people could perceive his presence in his representatives. A special power was delegated to these preachers. And when Prabhupada disappeared, it changed. So it’s a very mystic experience, how these spiritual powers are delegated to people, how it happens. You cannot really understand; and it’s not necessary to analyze. This is the beauty of mystic experience – that somehow it happens. It’s there, you can perceive it! Therefore we agree, that the aura of divine light should embrace our activities, it should signify our activities. Not the passions, not the ambitions, not the results, but this divine dedication – this should embrace our activities. 

The representation is with you. Go ahead! Show others what you have collected, what you have understood. Share your treasures.