Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 11.05.2017 pm, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

“What then is the ultimate truth? The answer is that nondual knowledge is the ultimate truth. It is devoid of the contamination of material qualities. It gives us liberation. It is the one without a second, all-pervading and beyond imagination. The first realization of that knowledge is Brahman. Then Paramatma, the Supersoul, is realized by the yogis who try to see Him without grievance. This is the second stage of realization. Finally, full realization of the same supreme knowledge is realized in the Supreme Person. All learned scholars describe the Supreme Person as Vasudeva, the cause of Brahman, Paramatma and others.” [1]
In other places the Bhagavatam says: vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jnanam advayam brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti shabdyate[2]  – The visionaries who see the truth, they know – vadanti tad – that Supreme reality, which is conscious, is there in three phases – like Brahman, or the unity principle; Paramatma – this is like the presence of the in-dwelling God; and finally Bhagavan as the Supreme person. So, all these different layers and realities are there, we can call them energy, presence and person. And according to our mood, according to our approach, according to our depth we shall realize some aspect of this supreme absolute truth.
The first, Brahman – this unity principle or we can say energy field of consciousness – is perfect. The Paramatma realization is more perfect. And the realization of the supreme personal aspect is the most perfect. So, it’s not a question of whether one is wrong and the other is proper; all are good. One is good, the other is better and the third is best. Purna – complete; purnatara – more complete; and purnatama – absolutely complete levels of realization. What do you want? Simple complete realization, more complete or a supremely complete realization – which is your preference? Are you satisfied with a simple perfection? No, we all need the super perfection. Why? Because there you can find more. More exchange, more reality is there.
Just imagine yourself: you have to eat the same soup every day. First day it’s all right, you are hungry. Second day: ‘Oh, all right. I’m in sadhana-bhakti, so I’ll take it.’ Third day you will ask: “Do you have some salt?” Forth day: “And what about the capatis?” While after a week you will say: “I cannot tolerate this soup anymore! I’d rather die than take it.” So, this unity principle, when you have only one soup – it doesn’t satisfy you. Actually the Chinese had this kind of execution. When they had a prisoner with life sentence and they wanted to finish his life, first they gave him a very delicious food. And he said: ‘Is this a jail? Oh, it is quite a good place!’ But then they consistently supply the same food every day. So much so that the guy dies of hunger ultimately. He cannot tolerate to take the same food after some time.
So, what kind of perfection you want? This unified, same perfection, simple perfection? Or maybe you need more variety. Don’t let your soul die in hunger for the divine diversity.

(to be continued)

1. Shrimad Bhagavatam, 12.5.11
2. Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.2.11