Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 17.08.2018, Ludasto)

(continues from the previous Friday)

“Madhavendra Puri wanted to leave Jagannatha Puri because the people were honouring him as a great devotee; however, this threatened to hinder his collecting sandalwood for the Gopala Deity. Shri Madhavendra Puri told all the servants of Lord Jagannatha and all the great devotees there the story of the appearance of Shri Gopala. When all the devotees at Jagannatha Puri heard that the Gopala Deity wanted sandalwood, in great pleasure they all endeavoured to collect it. Those who were acquainted with government officers met with them and begged for camphor and sandalwood, which they collected.” [1]
Therefore there is a proverb in the vaishnava circles: “It doesn’t matter what you know, but it does matter whom you know.” If you know those who are in charge, you can obtain the camphor and the sandalwood. And I think in the communist times this principle was very much applied: it didn’t matter what you knew, because most stupid guys were in a very good position, if they had the connection, then they could succeed. This is my hope as well. I’m a dull person, but I have my connections.
“One brahmana and one servant were given to Madhavendra Puri just to carry the sandalwood. He was also given the necessary travelling expenses. To get past the toll collectors along the way, Madhavendra Puri was supplied with the necessary release papers from government officers. The papers were placed in his hand. In this way Madhavendra Puri started for Vrindavana with the burden of sandalwood, and after some days he once again reached the village of Remuna and the Gopиnаtha temple there. When Madhavendra Puri reached the temple of Gopinatha, he offered his respectful obeisances many times at the lotus feet of the Lord. In the ecstasy of love, he began to dance and sing without cessation. When the priest of Gopinatha saw Madhavendra Puri again, he offered all respects to him and, giving him the sweet rice prasadam, made him eat.” [2]
This temple is still famous for the same prasadam. And it is said, the first time – you are welcome, you are free to enjoy the prasadam. But no second time. A very nice question comes: why? How is it that the prasadam doesn’t come a/the second time? You can get from the prasadam a second time only if you bring somebody who didn’t take any yet.
A very good marketing strategy. So next time you want to join the lecture… First time –you can join; but a second time? Therefore I tell you this is only the beginning what you see now – of the mission, not of Kali Yuga. Today we are few; tomorrow you will be many.

(to be continued)

1. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 4.148-151
2. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 4.152-156