Sharanagati

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

(continues from the previous Friday)

Today we continue our studies about the different relationships to the Supreme. In one of the novels of Bhaktivinoda Thakura… you see, our acharyas are ready to write novels and literature; not only theoretical thesis, but also something to enjoy while you are reading. Why? Because this way the message reaches you more easily.

So, in that novel you find a place where devotees come together for discussion. And there is one question: “Can you deliberate on the different relationships concerning the Supreme?” And then the lecturer almost faints. He start to tremble and says: “Yes! This is the best of the best questions.” So, whether you are the audience or the lecturer, if the topic is about the relationships with the Supreme you are allowed to tremble a little bit. Therefore now we move to the next chapter, so to say, the next phase of dedicated services.

Now in the upcoming chapters Rupa Goswami discusses some details, some shades of devotion. For example, he talks about the different factors that will impulse and instigate the service to Krishna. And separation, he speaks about separation. And just to pick one pearl from him: “When a devotee is fully in love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there may be the following symptoms due to his feelings of separation from the Lord: feverish condition of the body, withering of the body, lack of sleep, nonattachment, inertness, appearing diseased, madness, unconsciousness and sometimes death.“[1]

Appearing diseased, mad, etc. – these are the utmost symptoms of devotional ecstasy, when due to separation you feel like dying. First he talks about separation and then he talks about meeting. But now we won’t study these chapters, because then you would tremble too much. But rather we go to Fraternal Devotion, like friendship as a way of spiritual expression.

“When a devotee is permanently situated in devotional service, and by different symptoms of ecstasy he has developed and matured a fraternal mellow or flavour in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his feeling is called fraternal love of Godhead. The impetus for such fraternal love of God is God Himself. When one is liberated and discovers his eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord, the Lord Himself becomes the impetus for increasing fraternal love. The eternal associates of the Lord in Vrindavana have described this as follows: “The Lord, Hari, whose bodily hue is like the indranila jewel, whose smiling is as beautiful as the kunda flower, whose silk dress is as yellow as golden autumn foliage, whose chest is beautified with garlands of flowers and who is always playing upon His flute – this enemy of the Agha demon is always attracting our hearts by wandering about Vrindavana.”[2]

If you have a friend, he becomes your ideal, right? If he turns to the right, you will always turn to your right. If he likes ice-cream, you will go with him to take ice-cream. And if he starts to become a devotee, you will also become a devotee. Because friends always walk together.

(to be continued)

[1] Nectar of Devotion, Ch 38

[2] Nectar of Devotion, Ch 41