Sharanagati

Question of Sarvabhauma: Maharaj, you said that a sannyasi should listen to the name of Radha, otherwise he is in trouble. But in Shrimad Bhagavatam Shukadeva Goswami is especially avoiding to mention Her name, although he is a sannyasi. What can you say about this?

Swami Tirtha: Ah, if Shukadeva Goswami has spoken directly the name of Shrimati Radhrani, then he would be in trouble. Because he is an accomplished saint. And you cannot become an accomplished saint without testing yourself. Have you ever tested yourself? ‘What happens if I overchant myself?’ You have to test this. And Shukadeva had tested this. He knew that whenever he mentions the name of Shrimati Radharani, he would faint for two weeks. But what was his duty? To teach Parikshit and they had only one week, as Parikshit was destined to die in seven days. Just imagine if the lecturer would faint for two weeks on the first day! Then what can Parikshit do? How he will die? Without the teaching? So, he had to control himself. I also suggest – test yourself. If by mentioning Radharanis name you would faint for two weeks, then beware because your family needs you. You should be very careful about that.

And also I can tell you that the worship of the Divine Couple in that specific way is like a very hidden teaching. Although the meeting and the lilas of Radha and Krishna are the epicenter of the whole universe. As it is mentioned in the Brahma Samhita that in the cosmic lotus, in the stamen, in the absolute center, Radhe-Shyam are dancing together. Although it is there, still it is a secret. And the Shrimad Bhagavatam hints on this secret, but even then it is reserved about this topic. Where can you find the essence of the Bhagavatam?

Sarvabhauma: In the Tenth Canto.

Swami Tirtha: Yes. Actually that is the rasic answer. The tattva answer is the chatur-shloki of the Bhagavatam, the four main verses in the Second Canto of Bhagavatam. But that is the philosophic essence, and the rassic essence is in the Tenth Canto of Shrimad Bhagavatam And not even the whole Tenth Canto, but only five chapters. And even in these five chapters Shrimati Radharani’s name is not really directly mentioned. In a hidden form you will find it – aradhanam, like service mood – but not specifically and directly mentioned. Or “the best of the gopis” or something like this is mentioned, but not specified directly.

We can say that these secret hints are later on elaborated by the acharyas. Therefore it is said that the Vedas instruct you like a strict and strong father. The Puranas instruct you like a loving mother, and the acharyas have something to say like a lover. They represent different layers of the teachings. The Vedas, the original shruti, have to classify the tattva. Then the Puranas have to explain that and transfer that divine science to the present age, and then the acharyas excavate and bring to the surface the real essence. Therefore we have heard millions of times that the word of the guru is the living Veda. For this reason – because he can activate your knowledge. The information – we can collect, but this is dead knowledge, if it is not activated by a sadhu. Therefore it is suggested in the Bhagavad Gita that: tat viddhi praṇipatena pariprashnena sevaya upadekṣyanti te gyanam gyaninas tattva-darshinaḥ” [1] Tattva-darshinah – those who have already seen the truth, they can help you. But actually this is also a very deep and very hidden verse, because it starts with “tat”. Tat-viddhi – “that” you should know, by this and by this method, and then go to the saints and they will activate your knowledge. Because this verse you cannot understand without the previous one where the divine knowledge, the divine truth is described. And therefore this verse says: tat – “that knowledge you should approach like this, and then go to a master and let him activate your knowledge.” Therefore it is said that without guru-bhakti there is no krishna-bhakti. Without approaching, meditating upon and serving the spiritual master how can we achieve divine connection?

And this is not a trick or something that you can trigger those who don’t have a spiritual master yet. This is the truth. I mention this because many people use this, their preaching is only about to join the spiritual master. But they don’t explain you why. Why is this necessary? And if somebody doesn’t have, or haven’t found yet his or her inspiration, then he will feel very bad: ‘I miss something’. But this is not nice. Philosophy is not for triggering others; philosophy is for helping others to come to the light.

But Shukadeva was a sober person and he knew what his service is. And in order to accomplish his service, he was ready to give up even his beloved meditation. Here we can see that duty is above ‘my feelings’. This is the glory of service. For service we have to sacrifice ourselves. You would like to enjoy your deepest meditation, the nectar’s not dripping through your throat, but you have to scatter your nectar around. If you want to preserve your nectar, you cannot do that, you have to distribute it. This is sacrifice. But it’s a beautiful sacrifice, it’s a loving and happy sacrifice. And if you give, you will be supplied.

1. Bhagavad Gita, 4.34