Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 03.10.2017 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Many times we perceive antagonism or opposition in our life; sometimes it is favorable, other times it looks unfavorable. And sometimes we try to eliminate this disharmony. And here it is said: “To do away with opposition, a greater harmony is necessary. And in the higher type of harmony, opposition even enhances the beauty of that harmony and helps it.”[1]

When, for example, two kids fight, the mother can create harmony because she has a higher type of knowledge, influence, etc. So, immediately if a higher authority is involved, he can create a better solution. If, let’s say, two spiritual persons fight, then a higher authority can create harmony between them. When the ultimate powers in creation fight, then the Supreme Lord can create the necessary harmony. Just to quote the puranic histories, when the demons and the demigods fight, an incarnation or an avatar will come and create the order, right?

Do you have your inner demigods? Hopefully we have some guides and some well-wishers inside. And do you have your inner demons? Ah, that we know! Yes! Yes! And are they sometimes in a clash?

Answer: All the time.

Swami Tirtha: Yes, we might say: my weaker ego is fighting with my wrong ego. But it’s better if our better side is trying to harmonize with our weaker side. So really the fight is there. ‘Inner demons’ means your weaknesses, your fears, your mistakes and etcetera patterns; and your ‘inner demigods’ means the better side of you, who knows what is correct, yet the weaker side will not be able to perform it. So, if there is this fight going on inside you, who can create the higher harmony? The divine presence can create the harmony, can harmonize between these opposing parties. And as we discussed the other day, human beings are the shelter, the residence of God Supreme; so we have all good chances to be able to reach that higher type of harmony, if we invite and consciously work on this divine presence in our system.

“When harmony is successful, then it is found to be a necessity of beauty. Krishna represents beauty and His harmonizing capacity supersedes everything. There is nothing He cannot harmonize and all enemies become friends in that harmony. In so many ways this is to be accommodated. The Lord is the center of highest harmony; He is sweetness, He is our master and He is the divine love of us all.”

So, it’s very obvious – the higher authority can create harmony, even between opposing parties. There are techniques for that. Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur as a very powerful personality had also a technique of conflict management. Whenever his devotees had some conflict, some clash with each other, he always invited both parties. Because if they come individually, they come with complaints: “The other is like this, the other is like that…” So, he invited both parties and gave an instruction. Just imagine yourself, that you are in a clash with someone and you have to tolerate his presence in front of the superior. Ah, a very difficult feeling! Then Bhaktisiddhanta used to say: “And now please glorify your brother! Enumerate his good qualities.” Then you might think: ‘Ah, Gurumaharaj is partial to the other side.’ But then he gives the same instruction to the other guy: “You also please glorify your brother!” Is this a good way of conflict management?

(to be continued)

[1] From Shrila Shridhara Maharaj’s Centenary Anthology