Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 12.08.2018, Ludasto)

(continues from the previous Friday)

I requested some attention to discuss something important. Sometimes you feel that illusion is winning over the spirit.  Sometimes our faith and our hope in the victory of the spirit is in stand-by mode. ‘I don’t see that. I hope, but I don’t see it. It doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist, but unfortunately now I’m missing the experience.’ This is also a bitter feeling. This is also a hunger for this beautiful victory, the grand victory of divine love.

Relationships are very delicate, very sensitive. Because usually relationships are never on the same platform. One party is over superior than the other. And sometimes we see that the emotional surcharge is also not equal. One party needs more, the other party needs less; one can contribute more or can contribute less. Very similar things apply to spiritual relationships. Although we try to be spiritual practitioners, sometimes we act like simple human beings. Sometimes the story is about us – as a simple human being, not as a spiritual practitioner. Sometimes it is not Yashoda who is acting, but only Vyara. Of course, it is also good if Faith[1] acts. But I think you know what I mean. Sometimes there are conflicts and misunderstandings between devotees. Usually not philosophical conflicts or not rasik conflicts, but simple fights and simple basic misunderstandings. And we also have some conflicts, some misunderstandings, when you feel like you are in a dead-end, no way out. Whatever you do, there is no good solution. What can you do then? You wait, pray. Give it a little time, a little distance. Where the human capacities end, the divine mercy will start.

There was a time when I gave a little trouble to a senior vaishnava. And I felt that whatever I do, I cannot help the situation. It was a bitter feeling, but of course time heals the wounds. And life and services went on. So practically the pain was over. But the burden was not over. Because if you give trouble to others, you also have to carry some burden.

Just recently I had received a personal invitation from this senior vaishnava. This is Bhakti Aloka Paramadveiti Swami Maharaj. I was surprised by the personal invitation. He called me on the phone. “Please come over. I want to see you. I want to talk to you.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend on the agreed date, but whenever it became possible, I immediately ran. I can tell you with one gesture of his, all the burden was gone. So I was invited to this personal meeting and discussion. I was really deeply touched by this very generous gesture of his. And immediately it showed who was the superior in this position and who was the subordinate. Because I felt that whatever I do, I cannot help the situation. And he made only one gesture and it solved all possible problems.

So this is what I wanted to express to you. Some of you know some part of the story, some don’t. But it doesn’t really matter. Because what is the conclusion here? If we apply the principles of our faith, it works. Conflict is illusion. It is not real. And finally not the illusion took over here, but the spirit. And one gesture from a superior is enough to harmonize everything. So as long as you want to show your strength, you will always fail. As soon as you want to show your power, you will win. This is when the spirit wins against the illusion. I think you all felt the greatness and importance of this moment. Because it compels us to apply the principles.

We have to give a little time we have to give. In this case, 16 years. Sometimes we have to be patient. But never give up the spirit. And as we have very friendly and loving connections with the devotees in Sofia from his mission, also here in Hungary, this is an absolute good news and I feel like the angels in heaven are dancing today.

[1] The name ‘Vyara’ means ‘Faith’ in Bulgarian