Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 08.05.2017 morning, Rila)

 (continues from the previous Friday)

“All the rogues and thieves who had made arrangements for the worship of goddess Kali were low minded and bound to the modes of passion and ignorance. They were overpowered by the desire to become very rich; therefore they had the audacity to disobey the injunctions of the Vedas, so much so that they were prepared to kill Jada Bharata, a self-realized soul born in a brahmana family. Due to their envy, these dacoits brought him before the goddess Kali for sacrifice. Such people are always addicted to envious activities, and therefore they dared to try to kill Jada Bharata. Jada Bharata was the best friend of all living entities. He was no one’s enemy, and he was always absorbed in meditation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He was born of a good brahmana father, and killing him was forbidden, even though he might have been an enemy or aggressive person. In any case, there was no reason to kill Jada Bharata, and the goddess Kali could not bear this. She could immediately understand that these sinful dacoits were about to kill a great devotee of the Lord. Suddenly the deity’s body burst asunder, and the goddess Kali personally emerged from it in a body burning with an intense and intolerable effulgence.”[1]

Mystic experience. Only for adults. But anyway we have to complete the story. And then we shall try to come to some more peaceful moments.

“Intolerant of the offenses committed, the infuriated goddess Kali flashed her eyes and displayed her fierce, curved teeth. Her reddish eyes glowed, and she displayed her fearsome features. She assumed a frightening body, as if she were prepared to destroy the entire creation. Leaping violently from the altar, she immediately decapitated all the rogues and thieves with the very sword with which they had intended to kill Jada Bharata. She then began to drink the hot blood that flowed from the necks of the beheaded rogues and thieves, as if this blood were liquor. Indeed, she drank this intoxicant with her associates, who were witches and female demons. Becoming intoxicated with this blood, they all began to sing very loudly and dance as though prepared to annihilate the entire universe. At the same time, they began to play with the heads of the rogues and thieves, tossing them about as if they were balls”. Action-reaction. “When an envious person commits an offense before a great personality, he is always punished in the way mentioned above.”[2]So, beware.

So, what we can see here? A very unusual practice – human sacrifice. In all different cultures human sacrifice was there. The Bible also describes human sacrifice almost happening. In South America it was also there – taking the living heart and offering this to the Sun-god. Or Carthage – there they also practiced human sacrifice. They knew that when there was a danger to the state their spiritual leaders said: “To avoid this danger we have to sacrifice our sons. Hundred sons should be sacrificed.” Then the citizens said: “Double! We give 200.”

Sanatan: Even the king’s son.

Swami Tirtha: These are very strong things. Just imagine yourself if you should give such a sacrifice. It’s very painful. Because life is very precious.

We have learned from the Gita that without sacrifice nothing works, you cannot be happy. But what kind of sacrifice? Shall I sacrifice the life of others? Although this is very precious, better we sacrifice our own life. Little insignificant external things we can easily sacrifice. Little flowers, little water – as Krishna cheats us in the Gita[3]. And after that: “And all in. And everything else – just give it to Me.”[4]

(to be continued)

[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam 5.9.17

[2] Shrimad Bhagavatam 5.9.18-19

[3] Bhagavad Gita 9.26

[4] Bhagavad Gita 9.27