Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.01.2018 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

“Devotees engaged in servitude are attached to Krishna in the affection of reverence. Some of the inhabitants of Gokula (Vrindavana as exhibited on earth) are attached to Krishna on this platform of affection in reverence. The inhabitants of Vrindavana used to say, “Krishna is always manifested before us with a complexion like a blackish cloud. He holds His wonderful flute in His lotus hands. He is dressed in yellow silks and bedecked with a peacock feather on His head. When Krishna walks near Govardhana Hill with these personal features, all the inhabitants of the heavenly planets, as well as the inhabitants of this earth, feel transcendental bliss and consider themselves the eternal servants of the Lord.”[1]

So, here some more intense feelings start to manifest. Nevertheless, there is some reverence, because in this way we consider God as a superior; but at the same time this is the beginning of more intimate connections. Then Rupa Goswami discusses that sometimes devotees remember Krishna also when they see Lord Visnu, who has a similar complexion, but with four hands – He is like the majestic aspect of the Supreme.

“Another devotee once said, “This Supreme Personality of Godhead from whose bodily pores come millions of universes, permanently rising, who is the ocean of mercy, who is the owner of inconceivable energies, who is always equipped with all perfections, who is the origin of all incarnations, who is the attraction for all liberated persons – this very Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme controller and the supremely worshipable. He is all-cognizant, fully determined and fully opulent. He is the emblem of forgiveness and the protector of surrendered souls. He is munificent, true to His promise, expert, all-auspicious, powerful and religious. He is a strict follower of the scripture, He is the friend of the devotees, and He is magnanimous, influential, grateful, reputable, respectable, full of all strength, and submissive to pure love. Surely, He is the only shelter of devotees who are attracted to Him by the affection of servitorship.”

I think after this description we can understand that He is a proper Lord to serve. Perfect in all respects. What kind of Lord would you like to serve? A half-accomplished Lord, or a little disabled, or some half-lunatic? We want to serve a perfect Lord. Why? Because the Lord is perfect. If the servant is connected to such a perfect Lord, maybe the servant will also acquire this quality of perfection. Not the same status, but the same quality.

In the same way, what kind of spiritual guide do we need? We expect him to be perfect. Not half perfect or fifty-fifty. A little for God and a little for me – no. Of course, our expectations are many times exaggerated. But this is the way: try to find the perfect example and try to follow it perfectly. Then you will accomplish your spiritual journey. Because we must be able to develop this very pure vision – to see the spiritual qualities of people around us, not the material qualities. Don’t criticise the full moon for having some spots. What do you see? Do you see the spots? That means you don’t see the full moon.

(to be continued)

[1] Nectar of devotion Ch. 36