Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2018 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

All right, we were reading descriptions about the friends of Krishna, God. But what do we see in the devotional circles? Do we see similar friendship, similar intimacy?

Once Shrila Prabhupada, Bhaktivedanta Swami, went home to Bengal, to Navadvip and he met Shrila Shridhara Maharaja, a very dear friend of his. From the very beginning they were serving together. Many times they were going to preaching together, both of them. And they were quite a good match; Prabhupada was very good mridanga player, so they agreed: „All right, today I will play the mridanga and you will give the lecture.“ Because Shridhara Maharaja was like the scientific brain of the whole vaishnava community.

During years and years of separate services they didn‘t meet, and then finally again they met. Prabhpada had his western disciples around him. All of a sudden Prabhupada and Shrilla Shridhara Majaraja shifted to Bengali. At that time the western devotees didn‘t speak Bengali, didn‘t understand Bengali. So they were a little perplexed, but waiting patiently until they finished their conversation. And then humbly asked Shrila Prabhupada: „What was the topic of your discussion?“ Then he said: „Oh, I won‘t tell you, otherwise if you understood what we were discussing, you would faint.“

You see, this intimate, special language of intimate friends is for the benefit of others – not to give too much trouble to the outsiders. And also to keep the secrets.

And finally the last paragraph of this chapter says:

„Among the groups of different friends of Krishna, some are well known from various scriptures, and some are well known by popular tradition. There are three divisions among Krishna’s friends: some are eternally in friendship with Krishna, some are elevated demigods, and some are perfected devotees. In all of these groups there are some who by nature are fixed in Krishna’s service and are always engaged in giving counsel; some of them are very fond of joking and naturally cause Krishna to smile by their words; some of them are by nature very simple, and by their simplicity they please Lord Krishna; some of them create wonderful situations by their activities, apparently against Krishna; some of them are very talkative, always arguing with Krishna and creating a debating atmosphere; and some of them are very gentle and give pleasure to Krishna by their sweet words. All of these friends are very intimate with Krishna, and they show expertise in their different activities, their aim always being to please Krishna.“[1]

This is the beautiful summary of this relationship with the Supreme – friendship: a real friend always wants to make you happy. And here in his absence I want to glorify my dear godbrother Shripad Brajeshvar Prabhu, because I see this principle, given in the shastras, manifested in his personality and in his activities. He always tries to please his friends.

So, don‘t think that perfection in spiritual life is an ancient legend. Make it happen today; and then you will be introduced into eternity.

[1] The nectar of Devotion, Ch.41