Sharanagati

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

(continues from the previous Friday)

“The more confidential friends are called priya-sakhas and are almost Krishna’s age. Because of their very confidential friendship, their behaviour is only on the basis of pure friendship. The behaviour of other friends is on the ground of parental love or servitude, but the basic principle of the confidential friends is simply friendship on an equal level. Some confidential friends are as follows: Shridama, Sudama, Dama, Vasudama, Kinkiṇi, Stoka- krishna, Amshu, Bhadrasena, Vilasi, Pundarika, Vitanka and Kalavinka. By their various activities in different pastimes, all of these friends used to give transcendental pleasure to Krishna.
The behaviour of these confidential friends is described by a friend of Radharani who told Radharani, “My dear graceful Radharani, Your intimate friend Krishna is also served by His intimate boyfriends. Some of them cut jokes with Him in mild voices and please Him very much by this.” For example, Krishna had one brahmana friend whose name was Madhumangala. This boy would joke by playing the part of a greedy brahmana. Whenever the friends ate, he would eat more than all others, especially laddus, of which he was very fond. Then after eating more laddus than anyone else, Madhumangala would still not be satisfied, and he would say to Krishna, “If You give me one more laddu, then I shall be pleased to give You my blessings so that Your friend Radharani will be very much pleased with You.” [1]
You know, because what is the duty of a brahmana? He belongs to the priestly caste, so only two duties: giving blessings and eating. Yes!
Baladev: Good service!
Swami Tirtha: Now we are smiling, but actually, what’s the point there? Krishna likes the brahmanas so much, that He accepts the offering through them. The other day we were discussing about pujas and the yagyas. In yagya there is the sacrificial fire and you pour the ghee and throw the grains to the fire. And this is the way Krishna accepts it. But in the same way, the mouth of a brahmana is a sacrificial altar. So, if we give food to this altar, if we feed the brahmanas, then Krishna accepts through this channel. It’s nice, isn’t it? I think this is very symbolic and very, very meaningful. Therefore feeding the guests, brahmana guests, or if vaishnava guests come to you, this is not only having a party, but this is like a function, like a service to the Supreme – ‘Through this person I can serve you, my dear Lord!’ Beautiful! But you know, this is for the grown-up persons. Boys, brahmana boys simply want more: „Give me more, give me more! And then I will bless you.”

(to be continued)

1. Nectar of devotion, Ch. 41”