Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2019 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

Sometimes we fail. We come with full enthusiasm, we try to give our best – and we fail. We go home. We say, “Ah, the spiritual life is not for me. It didn’t work.” And maybe for this whole lifetime you will not return, it’s possible. But you will never forget. Your soul will never forget. And if you have made even only one little step, it is never lost. Even if you don’t make your next steps, this first step is never lost. It’s painful! To see that somebody is not happy in spiritual life – it’s very painful. But to see that others are more happy in their spiritual life – it’s enlivening.
You know, I have a spiritual brother. Whenever I have been observing his example, very ambivalent feelings come into my heart. I was always very envious of him and I was angry. And at the same time, I was rejoicing in his company. May I tell you why? Because he was swimming in the waves of devotion. He was enjoying his faith. He behaved like a boy – jolly and happy and running up and down and singing under the showers, etc. This natural joy of self was always manifesting in his eyes. And I didn’t have that, so I was very envious. How is it that he is always jolly and I’m working hard and I’m not so jolly? But at the same time, it was so inspiring to be with him. He is the example of faith, pure faith for me. I want to follow his example. I consider him as my spiritual superior. So, take the good examples – those who swim in the waves of devotional happiness.
So, whatever we lose, it’s not the real thing. By force we cannot enter the higher realms of reality. There are basically three main practices of spiritual purification. One is tapas, the other is gyana and the third is bhakti. Renunciation usually in most of the cases makes you bitter. Because you want, but you cannot, you want, but you are forbidden – this fight makes you bitter. Knowledge? Knowledge is something that you will lose. A little time and then all the knowledge is gone. And in general knowledge makes us dry. They also say, ‘If somebody knows much, he hates much’. So, it’s a little dangerous – too much knowledge.
So, if renunciation makes you bitter, if knowledge makes you stupid, then what is left? The practices of affection remain. But this is a very secret art. The art of love, the school of love is a very sensitive, very delicate school. A little input and very great effect. A little mistake – big trouble. But also, a little contribution – big result.
Of course, when I first heard that a devotee left, it was very shocking for me. How come? We had found the way to eternal happiness, the perfect spiritual path, etc., etc. – how is it that you leave?! It’s called a bloop. I didn’t understand. I was frightened. But then I had to reconsider this whole situation. And I don’t want to mourn because somebody has gone, but I want to be happy because somebody has spent some time with us, some time with Krishna. It’s only a question of proportions. And it is said, lava matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi hoy[1] – for just a small little time in the company of pure devotees you can achieve all perfection. So, the value of a small period of spiritual association is much higher than wasted lifetimes. But for that we need to observe the situation from the other side, not from this side.
Plus one more thing. If we really believe that Krishna is the protector of the devotees, then He will not give up His devotees. Even if they want to give Him up. Sometimes I truly believe that there are special ways how Krishna will guide or take care of certain individual devotees. Maybe He will test us by not showing His face. For other devotees He might test them in an even more difficult manner – by giving them very highly elevated prestigious positions. If you become a world-famous preacher, it’s a big challenge. But Krishna will take care of His devotees. And maybe He will lead us, any of us, through ups and downs of life. But I truly believe that He is a good Lord, who will never give up a good servant. “Glorious is the master who never gives up the servant and glorious is the servant who never gives up the master”[2]. 
Question: And what about the bad servants? Will the good master take care of them also?
Swami Tirtha: Well, there are only two types of people –devotees and future devotees. And there are only three types of devotees – good, better and best. So… there are no bad servants to be taken care of.

1. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 22.54
2. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya 4.46

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2019 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

Question: I just want to ask about something you spoke of yesterday. It was about love – that it comes and it goes. Most of us have experience about that. While divine love, you said, when it comes, it never goes away. But I’ve heard some stories and I saw some bhaktas who fall away, they just disappear. And my second question is about perfection: you said about three ways towards perfection and that actually our way is mainly through kripa, mercy. And I want to ask about sadhana. Can we have too much sadhana, which is making us fall away? Because I spoke with some bhaktas and some of them gave me examples – someone is so dedicated and becomes more and more tired, and then just disappears. Because different bhaktas are sometimes sharing their experience. For example, Prabhupad said to one bhakta, “When you do it, you develop love.” But can we do it too much without being prepared, doing sadhana without love, and actually get the opposite? Like getting tired and going away. 

Swami Tirtha: Oh, so many questions. Let’s start at the beginning. I think basically your two different questions focus on the same problem: whether we have something or we don’t have anything. Spiritual achievements are so delicate, so hidden, that it is very-very difficult to measure them by any means that we have. Due to our material life and conditioning – in studies,  in this competition spirit – we always want to measure things and achievements. Humans organize Olympic games to measure the achievements. By the way, that’s a total failure, it’s a business, it’s not sports anymore. It’s chemistry and business – how to make more money. If your national chemistry is ahead of the supervision, then they can invent those chemicals that will make you run faster without being noticed. So it’s got nothing to do with real sports. And therefore my humble suggestion, if we want to improve, is let’s go out and walk or run or wrestle without all this business involvement and then kick out all the television when they start to propagate this as sports events. Come on, this is totally fake! 

Sorry, I am a little emotional, because illusion steals all the best ideals that we have, it corrupts the best ideals. But we are trained to measure things. And what is the meaning of maya? If you try to measure God – that’s illusion. So if we try to measure our spiritual achievements – how many rounds have I performed, how many books have I sold, how many I don’t know what have I accomplished – that’s this Olympic spirit. It’s not enough. With this we cannot buy Krishna, we cannot buy divine love. It’s not enough. So we have to get rid of this achieving and measuring mentality. Because Radhika is very delicate. The more you want to capture Her by force, the more She is running away from you. 

So, if this inner transformation doesn’t happen, but you try to show all the external symptoms of a devotee, sooner or later something might happen. It’s not enough to show the external conditions or requirements, but we need this inner transformation. Bhaktivinoda Thakur said that the problem of this age is that there are no selfless preachers. From this we can understand that even the preachers sometimes have this mentality, this competition spirit – how to measure devotion. We have to be very careful about this thing. Because the real transformation will happen in the heart. And why is the heart hidden – and now I am talking about the spiritual heart – why is the heart hidden so deep in the constitution of a human being? So that only the chosen ones and Krishna can read the heart. But He can read it, they can read it. If we are not sincere, they can read this. Even if you perform all the rituals. If externally you show that you are 108% devotee, but internally nothing happens – they can read it. But they can read the opposite as well: you look like a very weak human being, fallen, full of mistakes and shortcomings and lack of knowledge, but if there is one drop of sincerity there in your heart, you will be saved. We cannot buy Krishna with any qualities and achievements that we perform. We cannot. 

Once somebody told me, “The holy name has become bitter on my lips”. And it was very shocking for me, because we have understood that the holy name is very sweet. How is it bitter for him? So next time when I met a godbrother of my Gurudev, a very elevated superior, I asked him this question. Then he was staring at me and finally said that “If it has become bitter, it was not the holy name”.

(to be continued)

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2019 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

I think so far we have received very inspiring spiritual advice. But as we have started our discussion about the ambitions of life, the last question of Mahaprabhu to Ramananda Raya concerns this: “What is the fate of those who seek liberation and of those who want to enjoy life?”
Harilila: Everyone gets what he or she is searching for.
Swami Tirtha: Yes. So, what do you think?
Krishna Priya: Those who want to enjoy, they receive suffering instead.
Swami Tirtha: No! No, I cannot agree with this. But, what about the seekers of liberation, what will they receive?
Krishna Priya: Liberation from triple sufferings.
Swami Tirtha: Well, it is said, “Those who want to achieve liberation, they will be born as trees. And those who want to enjoy life, they will be born as demigods.” Of course, you can say that it is a hellish life – to be a demigod, full of suffering. But, there is also something to do about cosmic affairs as a demigod. Yet, what is the message here? If you want to achieve liberation – without the service, without the loving attachment to God Supreme – you will be fixed in one place. It is not real liberation, you will receive the opposite. And if you want to enjoy, then you will receive some enjoyment, but with some more duties, more responsibility. Therefore, we need other ambitions which will be fulfilled in a more proper manner, so to say. So, this was something about human ambitions.
Try to remember this list of questions and answers, so that you can cherish the highest possible spiritual ideals. I think these ideals will help us even in the moments of crisis in life.
Question of Krishna Priya: I don’t understand why those who want to enjoy will become demigods. Because we have heard many times that when we want to enjoy, we actually meet only disappointment and frustration and we cannot get real happiness. How come that you become demigod?
Swami Tirtha: Try and you will see whether you are satisfied or frustrated. What is the definition of a demigod according to the Krishna Book?
Krishna Priya: Those who are engaged in service of God.
Swami Tirtha: Correct. Tat-priyartham – demigods are those whose only goal of life is Krishna’s happiness. So, it is a very high possition. To serve God – this is the supreme happiness, the supreme enjoyment. Our Krishna is enjoying. And if you come into His company, He will share His happiness with you. If so far you perceive only frustration, then maybe you should polish your association a little. Because Krishna is a happy God. And if you become His devotee, you will also be a happy devotee. A sad devotee doesn’t exist. One is one and the other is another – it doesn’t fit together. Because devotional life means that we live according to our original position sat-cit-ananda – ananda is included in all the bhakti practices.
Once I met a very senior person in Mayapur. He came to our room. He spoke practically only Bengali and we didn’t understand any Bengali, but we had a very nice discussion. Because somehow he expressed that “We are going back to Krishna. And Gurudev told us that in case we are late, he will come and save us. We have a hope!” – he said. You see, it’s so simple. It’s full of this joy of eternal life. “Yes, it’s waiting for us! Let’s go, let’s join. Because Gurumaharaj told us that he will come and save us” – this was his program for this life. He was a fully joyful person. So selfish enjoyment and the enjoyment derived from divine service – that’s totally different.

(to be continued)

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2019 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

Swami Tirtha: “From among the many different types of meditation, which is the best one?”
Answer: Chanting.
Swami Tirtha: All right, this is japa. Our japa should help us focus on the lotus feet. This is the real answer of Ramananda Raya: “The best meditation is if we meditate on the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna”. Krishna has many lotuses on His body. He has many full moons on His body as well – like His abdomen, His face, His eyes; there are so many beautiful spots on His body. But why most of the time it is the lotus feet that are mentioned? Usually the feet of a human being are the lowest position, right? Nevertheless, we consider the feet of the saints and the feet of our God to be something very high, very sacred. And we are ready to put the highest portion of our body at the lowest portion of the body of God – to bow down at the lotus feet. So, why lotus feet? Because feet invite service mood. One step of God is so wide and so strong that the whole world will tremble. Therefore it invokes this reverential mood in a devotee. In Hungarian we have a proverb “To catch onto the feet of God” – it means you are very fortunate. Well, go one step closer. Because the proverb doesn’t say to catch onto the shoes of God, but the feet. Not the coat, not the shoes – Himself, directly. So, feet will always invite service mood.
And many of you are practicing mothers and fathers – when you touch the feet of your baby, what kind of feeling is that? You kiss the feet of your baby, because it’s so sweet, right? Just imagine, if you meet your Krishna, His lotus feet will invite very-very sweet feelings. You need to develop a protocol. If you will meet your Krishna, of course you bow down, you will be very close to His lotus feet, then what will you do? Work out your protocol. Go back? Useless. Stay there? Sounds better. Catch onto them? Yeah, improved. Embrace them? Then He cannot move. And you are ever connected to Him. These are some options, some directions for your protocol. Because earlier it was said that we have to remember Krishna’s beautiful qualities. Well, if you remember this protocol – what am I to do when I meet my Lord – that’s also good.
“Where should we live?” is the next question.
Answer: In a holy place.
Swami Tirtha: Correct. “We should live in Vrindavan, in the place where the rasa-dance happens”. We can say that this is the ultimate center of all that exists. This divine ‘хоро’[1] of the gopis and Krishna. Here on the street we have ‘Народно хоро’[2], and in the spiritual sky we have ‘Дивно хоро’[3]. Everything, even the guys who were giving the name of this street, they were trying to help you remember. So, grab every opportunity, don’t miss a chance.
Of course, how can we live in Vrindavan? This is not simply a physical location. Devotional life is not a geographical journey. It’s a spiritual journey. So, raise the level of your consciousness. If your life and every thought is about the meeting of the soul and God, this rasa-dance, about joining the eternal and beautiful expression of this union between the individual soul and the Supreme – if this is the focus of your life, then you live in Vrindavan. And sometimes we can also quote the Chaitanya Charitamrita, “Wherever you are, this is Vrindavan”. If we find a person who lives in that supreme meditation, union, this topmost level of consciousness, of Divine Love and Beauty meeting in the heart, of always being connected to this fascinating truth – then this is Vrindavan; and if we are close to them, we are also in Vrindavan. This is the way to live in a holy place – associate with the saints, who are living there.
“What is the most important topic that we should discuss, that we should hear about?”
Yashoda: The pastimes of Radha-Krishna.
Swami Tirtha: Yeah, this is the most important, that we should listen to – “The loving connection between Radharani and Krishna”. And here you have some advantage, I have to acknowledge, because we have only this proverb – to catch onto the feet of God – but in your tradition there is this knowledge about Rada, the most beautiful girl in the village. So, we Hungarians, unfortunately, we lost this competition. You are the winners of rasa. Even the master, Beinsa Duno, also gave a very nice speech about Radha. So, you have a very high advantage compared to other nations. Cultivate this! Because what is the message, what is the meaning of listening to these divine pastimes of Radha and Govinda? They will always remind us that we also should be reintegrated into this divine reality.
Then “What is the most worshipable sacred object?”
Yashoda: Tulasi?
Swami Tirtha: Yes, tulasi, but in the form of the japa-mala. Correct. “The most worshipable divine sacred item is the holy name of Radha-Krishna – the mahamantra.”

(to be continued)

1.  Circular dance in Bulgarian
2.  ‘Folk circular dance’ – the name of the street where the ashram in Sofia is
3.  Divine circular dance

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2019 morning, Sofia)

The discussion between Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya continues. The next question is “What is the best and uttermost auspicious and pious activity?” What is your answer?

Kripadham: Devotional service.

Manoram: To give spiritual knowledge.

Vedavid: Sadhu-sangha. 

Swami Tirtha: Did you read this issue? Yes, to associate with the devotees – this is the best – best and only – pious activity. Why? Because if we associate with the devotees, we shall definitely receive and distribute the divine knowledge. Then devotional service is guaranteed. This holy company stands by us in good times and in difficulties. Isn’t this message very actual today– that the best pious activity is to associate with the holy saintly personalities? Because this will save us. Knowledge or whatever else you have accomplished, in a material sense or even in a spiritual sense, hardly ever will help us. But sadhu-sangha will help us. If in your last moment you remember the devotees, then you will continue with that. If this is the sum and substance of your life, the summary of your life, then you will continue from that moment. And the devotees are sent by Krishna. Krishna provides the sadhus and the sadhus provide Krishna. Then you are safe. The omnipotent God and the surrendered soul – this is an invincible company. 

And then comes: “What should we always remember?”

Answer: The lotus feet of God.

Raga Manjari: The lotus feet of the devotees.

Maharani: To always think of God, no matter what, for Him to be our primary thought.

Swami Tirtha: Very nice. The original answer of Ramananda Raya is “To remember the holy names of Krishna, His qualities and His pastimes”. Krishna is merciful, right? What are the six elements of sharanagati, surrender? Please help me!

  Krishna Priya: To accept the favorable and reject the unfavorable. 

Swami Tirtha: Correct. This is the entrance.

Vedavid: To believe that Krishna will always protect us.

Swami Tirtha: Correct. And?

Vedavid: Surrender to Vishnu.

Swami Tirtha: Correct. And humility. These two: dedication of the self and humility, are the individual practice that we have to offer. And something about Krishna – He is the protector of all and He will maintain everything. How many times you have discussed these steps? But in the general way of life we forget about this. We think that: ‘Ah, this is granted. It is not so important. I am busy today running here and there’. But when there is a crisis moment, immediately you remember: ‘Oh, Krishna is the protector of all. He is the maintainer of all. Everything is under control.’ He is Bhakta-vatsala, the shelter of the devotees. Only we have to qualify ourselves to become devotees… But fortunately, He is even more merciful than just simply protecting the devotees, because He is also called Dina-bandhu, or the friend of the simple living beings. So, even if we cannot qualify ourselves as real devotees, if you are a simple fallen guy, you are not neglected. The way in and the way out is also under His control. Plus all the time that we spend here is under His control. Therefore, at the beginning, meanwhile and at the end we should remember the holy names, the sweet pastimes and the super excellent qualities of Krishna.

Question of Krishna Shakti: How can one qualify to be a devotee? If he is a fallen, simple soul, how can he or she improve? 

Swami Tirtha: This you have to ask from a devotee. But, follow a good example. Try to participate in this devotional practice. Work over yourself. Because we need a certain purification, a certain change of life. We need to be active in our spiritual endeavors. And if we come back to our original spiritual position and identity, then we qualify ourselves as devotees. 

Devotees, they have innumerable glorious qualities. Like knowledge, humility, service mood, chastity. My favorite of this list is that a devotee is poetic. So, do something about it and then you can improve, you can go forward. But ultimately it is said, there are only two qualifications for a devotee. They are faith and willingness. So, if you believe and if you want to, you can come closer to Krishna. Then comes only one question: how to want more? But this is shishtachar or such a knowledge, such an information that we have to collect by associating with the devotees. You can somehow collect this secret – how they do it. These are some suggestions on how to improve our life. 

(to be continued)

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.01.2019 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

Question of Krishna Priya: You mentioned that we shouldn’t be humble with the insane people. There are situations when if you are kind and mild, it is working against you and you have to be more strict. Could you please say something more on this topic? If it is good, if it is correct?

Swami Tirtha: Well, we should always maintain inner humility. Because we should always respect the soul, the person, the Paramatma. We have to accept the person as they are. But it doesn’t mean that you have to agree with him or her, especially concerning a bad behavior. It is said that if somebody doesn’t know how to swim and he is drowning in the water, if you swim there and you want to help that person, he might drag you down as well. Therefore, for those who want to save people in such dangerous situations, first it is recommended to knock them on the head. To knock them out. Because in this way you block their opposition and you can save them. I see that you are smiling. All right, I didn’t check that. It’s a theory, I agree. But they say it is like this. First block the opposition whatever the cost, if this is a life danger, and then save. Of course, how can we apply that, for example, in preaching – if somebody is opposing your loving help, then you knock the person out to save him? No, of course not like this. But always try to maintain this inner humility which respects the soul, the spiritual identity of the other person. 

And try to be such a pure, humble, attractive, sincere person that all who meet you want to follow your example. Because real humility is also very powerful. It’s not something that people can misuse, but it’s a very powerful quality. So much so, that a real humble person nobody can fight, nobody can hurt. 

Just imagine yourself. You give a lecture. This means, you are in front, in the center of people’s attention. You try to describe the beauty of devotional life, the values of spiritual practice and then, after 15 minutes, somebody is standing up in the audience, pointing the finger at you and saying, “You are not a vaishnava! You are a demon!” Just imagine. A little surprising, right? Just a little. I think then your expertise in giving lectures is a little bit challenged. How to handle unexpected situations and comments? “You are not a vaishnava! You are a demon!” What can you do? It’s so obvious that this person is not qualified to give any remarks. Naturally you can maintain your humility, right? You are not offended. 

This is what I mean – to accept people and to agree on stupidity is not the same. We always respect the person, we always respect the soul, but you are allowed to have a spiritual opinion based on the shastra, based on the teachings. Yet our duty is to represent our tradition in such a nice and bona fide manner that people can grab it, people can accept it and they feel inspired to improve their lives. I think this is real humility – when you try to serve the best spiritual advantage of the other person. And sometimes it includes stopping some bad activities, stopping some critical behavior, etc. Only for the benefit of the other. All right. So, this much about humility.

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.01.2019 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

Question: I have lived in Sveta Gora, in the monastery, and I know that in Christian vows there is some hierarchy. For example, obedience is higher than the other two – chastity and poverty. And I also read some shivaist book where the vows were the same, but none of them were higher than the others. How is it in the vaishnava line?
Swami Tirtha: For example, if there is a debate between monks, the ultimate argument is “For the sake of the sacred obedience, please accept my opinion”. And then you have no escape, you have to say, “Yes, I accept this”. It is a very strong commitment. So, yes, we can say this is a high priority.
So your question is if there is such a priority in the vaishnava line? Well, in this respect we should refer to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s instructions. Because in His very famous Eight verses of his instructions, the most quoted is humility: “Be more humble than a blade of grass. Be more tolerant than a tree. Give all respect to others without expecting any respect towards yourself. And in this way you will be able to chant the holy names permanently.“[1] It is a beautiful verse. And if we really embrace the meaning of this verse, I am sure that we can apply proper humility in the proper place and time.
But how many times do we catch ourselves that we quote this verse and we act in the opposite manner! We say to others, “You have to be more tolerant than a tree if you associate with me.” Or “Prabhu, why are you not humble as a blade of grass?” This is useless! First apply this principle to yourself. Try to give respect to all – with this you never lose. Because what is the goal? The goal is to chant the holy names in a proper mood. So if we have this open-hearted, pure, innocent, humble mood, then it is easier to grasp the spiritual essence. Nevertheless, our acharyas also tell that we should apply this principle of humility with the sane saints, not with the insane materialists.
But basically, we should acquire this inner quality of humility. Not to show the external signs and to be a puffed up person on the inside, but rather the opposite. And this is also a very good invitation. I told you this story, it is included in the Sharanagati, Year Four or something, that once there was a public lecture and after that there was some private discussion. And I observed somebody in the audience – a young man paying full attention. You have been giving lectures, so you know – when you scan the audience, you see some faces, but suddenly you notice some special attention. So after this lecture, we were talking, I was inquiring: “Who are you, what are you doing?” You know I’m not a talkative person, but this time I had to talk a lot, because he was absorbing. I was talking for almost one hour and he didn’t interrupt, he was only absorbing. Then somehow I mentioned that humility is very important in spiritual life. And then he said, “Yes, humility! I think I have to learn what real humility is.” Then I was quite impressed, I have to tell you. Because if he is paying full attention, with a very humble state of mind, and when humility is mentioned, he says, “Yeah, I have to learn this” – that is a very good sign. And then what happened? He became a devotee. So if somebody is sensitive about humility, that is a good sign.
May I tell you another good sign? Bhajan is a very good sign. Another time there was another public lecture. It was a full-scale lecture with a slideshow, and talk like this, and discussion like that, and a cooking course, and everything – going on for hours. We started at 8 in the evening and after midnight we were falling apart, of course… And then somebody from the audience asked, “Can we have one more bhajan?” What a moment! And then what happened? This person also became a devotee. And she brought her future husband to become a devotee as well. And she also brought her brother to become a devotee. She was a yoga practitioner. And after this, she told me, “I have been doing yoga for years. And all the time, they mentioned this, samadhi, samadhi, and I didn’t understand. Now, after the bhajan, I know what did they mean.”
So, there are some good signs. If you are attracted to humility, if you are attracted to bhajans, what to speak of if you are attracted to prasadam, you are a proper candidate for becoming a devotee. Yes, this is our priority list.

(to be continued) 

1.  Shikshashtaka, 3

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.01.2019 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

The discussion between Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya continues, please join with your answers. So far the questions were charming and positive. But now: “What is the greatest pain?”

Krishnapriya: To be separated from God. 

Lilavatar: To be separated from the devotees. 

Swami Tirtha: Did you read the Chaitanya Charitamrita? 

Lilavatar: No.

Swami Tirtha: Then maybe you had been there in this discussion. Because actually this is the answer: “To be separated from the devotees is the greatest pain”. Because from Krishna we are somehow separated anyway, isn’t it so? Alright, He is sitting in your hearts, but nevertheless some separation is there. But we can associate with the devotees and if you are bereft of that divine connection, it is very painful. Therefore it is said: it is better to tolerate the pain of being jailed or being burned by fire, than to tolerate the pain of separation from the devotees. And of course we should always try to associate with higher devotees. If there is no chance for that, then we should associate with the same level devotees. If you have no chance for that, you should associate with neophyte devotees. If you don’t have the chance for that, then you have to associate with the shastras – this is your sadhu-sangha. And if you don’t have a chance for associating with the holy scriptures, then you have to associate with your mind. This should be your sadhu-sangha. 

“Who is the best liberated person?” – comes the next question. 

Paramananda: He who preaches.

Swami Tirtha: Without practicing? Anyway, “The best liberated person is the one who loves Krishna”. Because that proves that devotion is beyond liberation. 

And one more question. “What is the best devotional song?” 

Answer: Hare Krishna!

Swami Tirtha: Actually, that’s true, it’s the mahamantra. Because the answer from Ramananda Raya was that “The best religious song is that which describes the divine love between Radha and Krishna.” Right. 

So, from this we can understand our priorities among values. What are our priorities in life in general and in life spiritual? If you really want to be famous, then be a famous devotee. If you really want to be wealthy, then cherish the divine love principle. If you want to be the best singer, then sing the best songs. These are our ambitions. This is our value structure. So, please follow and cultivate it.

Although the devotees in Nanda Falva, my godbrothers and godsisters, were very well-mannered and very well-educated, and of course they didn’t want to become famous, so to say, once I had the opportunity to meet devotees on the other end of the world. Gurudev was visiting them from time to time. And when I also met them, they inquired: “Who are you, where are you coming from?” And when I said, “Well, I come from Hungary and I am a disciple of Gurudev”, then they said, “Ah, Hungarian devotees! Ah, we have heard a lot about them!” And they started a quote of their names. Fifteen thousand miles, never ever seen them, quoting by the name and by the service. From that I could understand that if you are a small little humble servant of Radha-Govinda or Radha-Gopivallabha, you are world famous. So, Ramananda Raya was correct. If you want to be famous, be a nice devotee. 

(to be continued)

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.01.2019 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

The main focus of our discussion was contentment, happiness. And concerning this, I’d like to ask you a few questions. There was once a discussion between our Golden Avatar Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya. The first day of discussion is provided in the beautiful book The Search for the Ultimate Goal of Life[1], which is a very profound study for all those who are really searching for the truth. In this discussion they were searching for the purpose of life. They started from a disciplined life in order to satisfy the Supreme Lord Vishnu and finally they came to the ultimate platform of life and ideals – the loving union of Divine Love and Divine Beauty. The next day they met again and the discussion continued. Mahaprabhu was asking the questions and Ramananda Raya, who was a governor, tried to answer according to his best capacities.
There are thirteen questions and now I ask you to join this conversation, this exchange. I will tell you the questions and please, try to answer. So my first question, actually Mahaprabhu’s first question is: “What is the most important thing that we should know? What is the best knowledge?”
Answer: Who we are.
Swami Tirtha: Good.
Answer: Who is God?
Swami Tirtha: Better.
Answer: What is the connection?
Swami Tirtha: Best! So, the answer was very interesting: “The transcendental devotional service of Krishna – this is the topmost knowledge, this is the best type of knowledge.” And for that you have to understand yourself, for that you have to understand who is over there, and for that you need to develop a living and loving connection. Because only from a connection you can develop a good connection.
Second question is: “What is the most glorified act?”
Answer: Devotional service.
Swami Tirtha: Do you have this answer to all the questions? It’s very close to the answer, because it is said, “The most glorified act or achievement is if you are a faithful follower of Krishna.“ You see? This is the most prestigious achievement that you can have – if you become a devotee. Why? Can you support that with some quotations from the shastras?
Manoram: Krishna said: “Become My devotee.”[2]
Devotee: I would say: become such a devotee as Maharaja Ambarisha – to him the whole universe was seen like a piece of stone.
Paramananda: Mahaprabhu said: “I am not a brahmin, I am not a kshatriya, I am not this and that, I am a servant of the servants of the servants of the gopis.”[3]
Swami Tirtha: Correct. And I think His example is the best support for this idea – that even God is ready to come as a devotee. And it is such a glorious position that He wants to try for Himself how it is. So this is very glorious.
Third question: “Who is the wealthiest?”
Prem Prasad: Krishna.
Swami Tirtha: You have paid some attention in the lecture, no doubt. But now we need a practical answer, not a theological one. Who is most wealthy?
Devotee: Who serves God.
Swami Tirtha: Very nice. The wealthiest is the person who is wealthy with the love towards Radha and Krishna. This is the hidden treasure of life.

(to be continued)

1. By Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
2. Bhagavad Gita 9.34; 18.65
3. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya, 13.80

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.01.2019 evening, Sofia)

We have to continue the topic that we had started. We discussed human ambitions. Goals and means and how one replaces the other. In many cases we consider means to be goals and then we are surprised that they don’t function. The instruments don’t function as ideals. And we discussed a few human ambitions that we have in this lifetime. One was success. Then money, happiness. Usually these are three very important factors in people’s life. But we have to search what is the proper source and what is the proper purpose of all these different items.

In the Manu Samhita it is said that first you have to become a human being. To be born from a human mother and father is not enough. You have to become a human being, and that means you fulfil certain requirements. One sign of a human being is that he doesn’t steal. That means we have to know the owner, where the things belong. Because if we usurp the things provided in life without giving proper respect to the owner, then we commit a mistake, that is inhuman behavior. Many times you think that the source of money is your boss. And the proper owner of your money is you. And the proper place of this money is in your pocket. But this is a mistake. The source is not the boss, the owner is not you and the place is not in your pocket. Who is the ultimate source and who is the ultimate proprietor of any wealth in this whole creation? God. Good. But in which aspect? Kuvera? No, Kuvera is the accountant or the treasurer. Lakshmi? No. Lakshmi is the wealth. Who is the owner of the wealth? Yes, Krishna, but what aspect of Krishna? Makanchor?! Makanchor is a wealthy guy?! No, come on! Makanchor is a thief. The owner doesn’t steal. The owner possesses. So, who is it?

Jaya Radha Madhava…. How many hundreds of times you have sung this song? Madhava! Madhava is the Lord of the Goddess of fortune. Krishna is Madhava, He is the possessor of all the wealth of this universe. So, the ultimate source, the proprietor and the enjoyer of “your” wealth, so to say, is Him – Madhava. And if Krishna wants to keep His own money in this pocket or in that pocket, you shouldn’t be upset by that. Because both pockets belong to Him. One is you, the other pocket is another person. So, don’t be upset if income is not evenly distributed. 

But what is the serious message here? That all the wealth belongs to God – Madhava who is the possessor of all the wealth of this created universe. 

Another ambition for man is happiness, and the key to happiness of a man is usually a woman. But who is the ultimate possessor of all the ladies of the three worlds? Yes, this is Krishna, Gopinath. So, don’t be surprised that it’s not you. There is someone who is more attractive. It is possible. Astonishing, but true. Therefore, we should consider all the female representatives of Shrimati Radharani as belonging to Krishna. 

And finally, the third ambition that we usually have is success. We are very much accustomed to use acronyms. So, of the three main items of success one is profit, the second is adoration – when people admire you and when you are in the center; and the third is when due to your special qualities you achieve some distinction. And if you use the acronym of these three, what is that? P.A.D. Profit, Adoration, Distinction. So, pad. If you achieve profit, adoration and distinction in the word of Maya, then who are you? You are Maya-pad. But in a spiritual sense, the real treasures, the real profit, the real admiration or adoration and the real distinction come from a spiritual source. Therefore, in the spiritual sense, you are Prabhu-pad. Meaning, a person who has surrendered at the lotus feet of the Supreme. Pad means ‘feet’. Prabhu is ‘the Lord’. So those who have taken full shelter of the Supreme Lord, they are the real treasure-hunters, they are the real possessors of divine wealth. 

So, all the wealth belongs to God Supreme, Madhava. All the ladies belong to Gopinath, Krishna. And whatever profit comes to you, you should be aware that it doesn’t belong to you, it belongs to Him. Whatever lady comes to you, you should be aware that she doesn’t belong to you; you only can take care of her, serve her, but she belongs to Krishna. All right, but then what can you do with the success or with the admiration that comes to you? This we should offer at the lotus feet of our masters. Then we are safe. Because although these are the general ambitions of life, they can bring both success and failure to us. If we forget that all these different items belong to our superiors, then we are mistaken. Then we are inhuman, because we start to steal, to usurp. Therefore the three main merits of any strong spiritual community are this non-possessive mentality – not running after wealth; chastity or to refrain from misuse of the other gender; and also to be humble. If you join a monastic order in Christianity, these are the three main vows that you have to take: poverty, chastity and obedience. So, if you join the devotees, that means you have joined a very high order of monastic discipline. It’s very good. Why? This will turn us into real human beings, following these principles. 

(to be continued)