Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2020 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Question of Krishna Shakti: I need a little more explanation of what you said that the mercy is going towards the lack, the absence. I have understood already that everything is happening due to Krishna’s mercy. But my humble experience until now is that when I feel some lack or shortcoming, I’m unhappy. We all know the law of attraction. And when I feel that I have enough, this is the moment when I can invite more mercy. Can you explain a bit about this to avoid confusion? 

Swami Tirtha: I agree very much. When something is missing from our life, then usually we are worried. Not to possess something – it’s a trouble. But to possess is a bigger trouble. Because then we start to fear losing the thing. Life is like this. If you have, you cry; if you don’t have, you cry. It’s very easy to be satisfied or contented on the material plane, because it’s not very much, what we need. But spiritually we can exercise this feeling – to show Krishna that there is a chance for Him to exercise His mercy. Because mercy is just like electricity, which flows only if there is a difference between the charges. When there is a difference in the charge, the energy can flow. Krishna is supremely charged. He is full, full of energies. He is like a spring – overflowing with His energies. So He needs some recipient. Therefore, we are good partners for that. This is best – if the energies are combined: the super excellent source and the good receiver – then the flow can start.

And if somebody asks you: “Do you need more of Krishna’s mercy?” What you will say? “No, I have enough. Enough is enough.” But yesterday we learned that enough is not enough. So, give me more, give me more! And this spiritual thirst is a little different than the material thirst. Because in this way or that way the material thirst will be finished. One time I heard in a lecture – I was a little surprised when the lecturer said: “If you have material desires – go for it. Try to satisfy it, try to have it. Very soon you will be frustrated and then you can come to the spiritual desire.” So, either this way or that way, the material thirst will be finished. But the spiritual thirst is eternal. That’s the difference. The material resources are limited and the material need is also limited. Spiritual need is unlimited. And in the Krishna Book Shrila Prabhupada describes that Krishna has unlimited mercy and He exercises this unlimited mercy in unlimited ways with His surrendered devotees. So beautiful! This is our expectation. Because Krishna plays the flute. And if there is music, there is a dance. And sometimes He is giving more and more rhythm to this dance. But what happens if Shrimati Radharani steals the flute of Krishna? We never know. So if you feel that the speed of this dance is just growing and growing, maybe Radhika has stolen the flute of Krishna and now She is playing. 

Maybe this is something to you as an answer. In the material sense, it is better to be satisfied, even with what little we have. There will always come times in life when necessities will be fulfilled, don’t worry about that. Work hard, of course. But be satisfied meanwhile. And the spiritual thirst – that we have to cultivate, so that Krishna, hari-guru-vaishnavas can bring a cup of nectar to us. 

(to be continued)