Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 25.08.2016 evening, Ludasto) 

(continues from the previous Friday) 

“By the influence of Yoga-maya, all the doorkeepers fell fast asleep, their senses unable to work, and the other inhabitants of the house also fell deeply asleep. When the sun rises, the darkness automatically disappears; similarly, when Vasudeva appeared, the closed doors, which were strongly pinned with iron and locked with iron chains, opened automatically. Since the clouds in the sky were mildly thundering and showering, Ananta-naga, an expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, followed Vasudeva, beginning from the door, with hoods expanded to protect Vasudeva and the transcendental child.”[1]

Vasudeva all of a sudden became part of a series of miracles. He received an inspiration. Then he smuggled the child out from danger, the doors opened and the influence of the jail was finished. Isn’t that symbolic? When you have Krishna with you, your chains are broken, the door is open, the darkness of illusion is dispelled. So, all auspicious marks and things start to happen in your life. Although everything was very auspicious when Krishna appeared, nevertheless now the clouds came together to shower and thunder mildly. Vasudeva was so much absorbed that he even didn’t realize the snake behind.

“Because of constant rain sent by the demigod Indra, the river Yamuna was filled with deep water, foaming about with fiercely whirling waves. But as the great Indian Ocean had formerly given way to Lord Ramachandra by allowing Him to construct a bridge, the river Yamuna gave way to Vasudeva and allowed him to cross”.[2]

But this moment is special. Many times people ask why Krishna is black. Because usually in our culture black is not connected to something very auspicious. But what happened when Vasudeva was crossing Yamuna? He was carrying Krishna over the head under the protection of Ananta-shesha. Yet as it was a storm and it was late at night and he was also full day expecting the delivery of the child, all of a sudden Vasudeva made a wrong step. He slipped a little bit and Krishna fell into the waters. Of course Vasudeva immediately grabbed Krishna from the waters, but then it was too late. Because what is the color of the Yamuna? It’s not yellow, it’s not red; it’s deep blue, almost black. So, why Krishna is black? What can we say?

“When Vasudeva reached the house of Nanda Baba, he saw that all the cowherd men were fast asleep. Thus he placed his own son on the bed of Yashoda, picked up her daughter, an expansion of Yoga-maya, and then returned to his residence, the prison house of Kamsa. Vasudeva placed the female child on the bed of Devaki, his wife, again bound his legs with the iron shackles, and thus remained there as before. Exhausted by the labor of childbirth, Yashoda was overwhelmed with sleep and unable to understand what kind of child had been born to her.”[3]

We were discussing the position of Vasudeva and Devaki – how much self-control and austerity they performed in order to receive Krishna. And they received Vasudeva Krishna –Krishna in His splendor, in His magnificent, divine form. But do you have information of Nanda Maharaj and Yashoda Maya doing some sacrifice or some austerity? Zero, nil. And they received Krishna as a gift. Gift of God. So, if we have to choose between the position of Vasudeva-Devaki and Nanda-Yashoda, which is your preference? To live 12 000 celestial years eating only dried leaves and sometimes breathing a little? Or you are so sweet to Krishna that He comes to you as a gift? From this we can understand the extremely delicate and high position of Nanda and Yashoda.

Of course it doesn’t mean that you should not take any sacrifice and austerity. Don’t quote me. ‘Tirtha Maharaj said: “No tapasya.”’ I didn’t say that. We worship Nanda Baba and Yashoda Maya as the emblem of selfless dedication. We worship and appreciate the position of the parishads – they were so close to Krishna that He comes without any other requirement. That means Krishna is ready to give up His divine position. It’s not the helmet, it’s not the divine splendor; He wants to come closer to His beloved devotees. Ready to be born in a jail, ready to cross a stormy river in order to associate with His devotees. Isn’t it beautiful? We search for God and He is searching for His beloved devotees. He takes the trouble; are we not ready to take some little trouble?

If I have to choose between the position of Nanda Baba-Yashoda or Vasudeva-Devaki, I am ready to take the austerity, if this is the key to achieve for you the position of Nanda Baba and Yashoda Maya.

[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.3.47-49

[2] Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.3.50

[3] Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.3.50-53