Sharanagati

(continues from the previous Friday) 

To take an example what is a humble approach to the Supreme Lord Krishna, we’ll read a little part from “The Nectar of devotion”.

“To regard Krishna as one’s superior is called reverential feeling, and when, in addition to this, a devotee feels that Krishna is his protector, his transcendental love for Krishna is increased, and these combined feelings are called reverential devotion. When this steady reverential devotion increases further, it is called love of Godhead in reverential devotion. Attraction and affection are two prominent symptoms of this stage. In this reverential devotional attitude, Pradyumna never talked to his father in a loud voice…”

Always in a very humble state of mind he was talking, discussing with Krishna. Do you have a good memory? No? Nevertheless try to remember this: whenever you raise your voice, you have lost your humility. Now we can continue.

 “In fact, he never unlocked the lips of his mouth, nor did he ever show his face filled with tears. He would always glance only at the lotus feet of his father.”

You see? The sons in the 21^st century would hardly be able to accomplish this – always have their eyes in tears when they meet their father. And be so humble that they fix their vision only on the lotus feet of their dear father. Dear fellow brothers, have you ever tried that with your fathers? No? You’ve got some good memory? Remember this: try it at least once in a lifetime. Because you will also become a senior, father, and it is very nice when the son says to the father: “Thank you, my father! You have done a good job!” This is like a compensation for all the stupidity that we have committed against our fathers. At least give something, at least a few words in exchange.

Now we discuss humility. And from this relationship to Krishna as a father we should learn this humble kind of humility. But many times we misunderstand humility and either we imitate humility, or – as we many times discussed – instead of constructive humility we have a destructive humility. Constructive humility will elevate your soul; destructive humility will bring you down. You mentioned that we are very insignificant. At the same time you are very unique, you are like precious stones! It is said that the feeling of guilt it’s a destructive feeling, but when you remorse your sins – it’s elevating. Always try to differentiate between these two. The feeling of guilt is destructive, while this real repentance is constructive.

And just imagine if somebody tries to behave to you in such a way – in this very humiliating humility. Just imagine your friend, or your spiritual brother, or your son always at this state of mind that was given here: never looking you in the eyes, always in tears, and always staying there in a very humble state of mind. It’s an uneasy feeling. So, the next paragraph will tell us something about this.

“The affection that Krishna has for His devotees was expressed by Him when He asked Pradyumna not to feel so bashful before Him. He addressed Pradyumna thus: “My dear boy, just give up your feeling of inferiority…”

Don’t underestimate yourself! Destructive humility means you underestimate yourself. Of course, we should not overestimate ourselves either, because for sure it’s not called humility. But if you underestimate yourself it might be an inverted form of pride. So, don’t underestimate yourself! And then it is said: “….do not hang your neck”.

Sometimes we have to bow down our head. If we look at our shortcomings, there is not so much to do than repenting. Still, we have to be positive even about our mistakes. Shrila Prabhupad used to say that: “Failure is the column of success”. Yet please, don’t build a colonnade in your home, but be positive about your mistakes even – they help you to understand what not to do.

“Just talk with Me in a clear voice, and do not shed tears.”

‘Oh, stop this crying all the time’. Sometimes Krishna is fed up with these beautiful expressions of humility. ‘Stop, my dear! I want to talk to you! I need something from you. Don’t stay there like a frozen angel.’ And then He says: “You may look straight at Me, and you may place your hands on My body without any hesitation.”[1]

So, what can we say? If there is such an invitation from God, if there is such an invitation from your father, if there is such an invitation from your spiritual master, from your brother, from your superiors – what can you do? We can only say “yes”. Because devotion is an exchange of love. I think this is a beautiful, beautiful instruction about constructive humility. Of course we should know our position. But if there is an invitation to dance, why we should not join? If there is a divine invitation you should join, irrespective of your shortcomings.

The destructive humility we can say more or less is cultivated in the Middle East, it is coming from the Middle East. But the constructive humility comes from the Far East. For example Arjuna, he was a fighter. Can we consider his fight to be an expression of humility? What do you think? Very much. Although this is not a humble act to fight, to win, to kill and this and that – it’s not humility in the material sense. But as he was fully under the control and the instruction of Divinity: “Fight for the truth!” and then he agreed; it was a complete and perfect example of humility. Because first Arjuna was full of questions; and more – he had some doubts also. But at the end how was that? After Krishna convinced him – no questions, no doubts. Sometimes it happens that we have questions, but we should never have doubts.

So, please remember these examples and be positive in your humility. Be constructive in your humility. Why constructive humility is necessary? Because without expressing our humility we cannot learn. If you think that you know everything, who can tell you any good advice? So, in order to be able to grab something we have to humbly express our shortcomings, humbly express our need to be instructed. The willingness to learn – this is a real fruit of humility. And how to acquire this humility? With self control, because self control will make you strong and will also make you humble, happy, satisfied.

(to be continued)

[1] “The Nectar of devotion”, 40