Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 02.05.2018, Rila) 

(continues from the previous Monday)

The debate – whether you perceive the supreme reality like a constant energy flow or you see the personal beauty of that superior reality – it depends on your taste, on your approach. And this taste is very important here. Spiritual practice in general is just like an invitation for supper. Because the supper is ready.

Devotees… well, they live in eternity, therefore their time management is a little flexible. So all the yogis, all the gyanis, all the other spiritualists and everybody is invited; devotees are also invited for this supper. The time frame is set – the supper will be served – although this is a self-service, but – the supper will be served on the table at six o’clock.

The gyanis, who are very punctual and very well-educated, come on time. And which part of the cake will they take? They will take sat – divine existence. ‘Yes! This is what we are searching for! Eternal life – this is for us! We overcame death, we are satisfied.’

The next group is the yogis, coming a little late, because they were engaged in their meditations. And you know, if you are absorbed in your meditation, sometimes it’s difficult to break it, to regain your consciousness to join the daily activities. So they are coming and they take another piece of the cake. They were searching for enlightenment – to see the divine presence in their hearts, to perceive Paramatma in their heart. ‘The top level of enlightened consciousness – chit – this is for us!’

So, gyanis returned satisfied: ‘We have sat, this was our ambition.’ Yogis return with another piece of cake – chit: ‘Yes, this was our goal, we have reached it!’ And finally, after seven o’clock, the devotees also arrive. Because ‘I had to chant my rounds and I had to clean the temple and make the garland and also I had to discuss something very important with the others…’ So they are late. Which piece of the cake is left on the table? Sat is taken – eternal life is gone. Chit is gone – enlightenment is already taken. What is left? Only some remnants of this Last supper – anandam. ‘All right, let’s take this. Let them be happy with eternal life. Let others be happy with this full and enlightened consciousness. We are satisfied with the last morsels of this supper – anandam.’ And this is the nectar!

Therefore Krishna tricks the yogis and the gyanis with some insignificant things in order to satisfy His late devotees. Eternal life – come on, what is that compared to anandam?! Nothing! So, even if you come late, you will not miss anything. Because if you are a real devotee in your lifetime, God is with you, Krishna is with you. And if you die, you are with Him. So what is lost? Nothing. But for that we need to qualify to be a real one.

So, philosophy is our vedanta, theology is our siddhanta and our piece of the cake is anandam.

(to be continued)