Sharanagati

Question of Damodar: In what connection Shrila Shridhara Maharaj said: “I did not come to create forms, but to demolish them”?

Tirtha Maharaj: Exactly he said: “I am not a form-maker, I am a form-breaker.” Well, he was a rasik devotee. He was living in rasa, in divine ecstasy. And you know, when the western practitioners started to approach him, they came with all the rules and regulations that they have understood from the first lectures. Therefore, just to show the different levels and different gradations of spiritual life and spiritual practice he said: “I am not a form-maker, I am a form-breaker.” Once somebody was, so to say, instructing him: the young titan was mentioning Krishna and Shrila Shridhara Maharaj immediately interrupted: “But who is that Krishna?” They said: “Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead!” We have learned the lesson! But then he said: “But who is He for you?! Who is He…” And the he started to cry when he saw that they want to instruct him and misuse him.

But anyway, this is another function of guru. Sometimes he has to break the forms that we are catching on. In order to show the essence. Because from the superficial, from the external, we should come to the internal.

So, please go on cultivating your spiritual practices. Do not be afraid to surrender fully, becauseKrishnais also called Bhakta Vatsala – Protector of His devoteеs.

Question of Yamuna: In his books Shridhara Maharaj mentions that it is said in the shastras,Krishna says: “Those, who follow rules and regulations are very dear to Me. But those who break the rules and regulations in order to please Me, they are really My heart and soul.” I am quoting freely. Any idea from where is this quotation?

Tirtha Maharaj: Well, I am not a shloka-box! You insert a coin and a shloka is coming out…  First of all this is a high topic. But to understand the setup we should read the Tenth Canto of the “Shrimad-bhagavatam”. Because according to our tradition the greatest example of selfless dedication beyond any limit – these are the gopis. And it is described that they were ready to give up all attachment, they were ready to give up even rules of dharma, give up the family ties even – in order to satisfyKrishna. And therefore they are considered the greatest examples of that selfless dedication. In other Puranas Krishna says that “Those who worship Me they are not My real devotees; but My real devotees are those, who worship My devoted devotees.” And that “I have lost My independence, because I am a servant of My servants.”

These are very high conceptions of divinity – when God comes as a servant of His servants. But therefore we are ready to worshipKrishna– because He comes so close, He is ready to come so close. And if He says: “I am your surrendered servant,” He does mean it. From Him this is not only words.