Sharanagati

Etavad eva jigyasam/ tattva-djigyasunatmanah/ anvaya-vyatirekabhyam/ yat syat sarvatra sarvada – “A person who is searching after the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, most certainly search for it up to this, in all circumstances, in all space and time, and both directly and indirectly.[1]

So, the four main verses from “Shrimad-bhagavatam” tell us the secret, tell us the picture, tell us the method, and finally give us the instruction: “Do it!” In this ultimate verse Shri Krishna describes again Himself – that the Supreme Truth exists all times, everywhere, always. Absolute existence exists. Still we are in the searchers’ phase. What we have discussed many times – we should not be satisfied with simply searching the truth, we should also find something. From the searchers we should step forward, to become practitioners.

But how to perform our search? Sometimes? Or here and there? Or with half speed? No, you have to do it in full speed, all times and under all circumstances. Until we simply search for something, we are not sure if it exists. We hope and we pray, but immediately when you hold it in your hands you feel it, you know it for sure.

There are two types of searchers. One is following the direct method and the other is following the indirect method. If you search indirectly, then you try to see what is not the Supreme. If we search for Krishna, it is easy to identify what is notKrishna. This is indirect. Maybe you do not see the supreme goal, but you can see at least the footsteps. Or you can see the action of divinity. This is easier, still this is not a direct method.

What is the direct method? The direct method is the devotional way. If you remove your glasses and if you have direct vision. Direct perception of the absolute reality the beautiful. Actually this is our path – to try to search for Shri Krishna, reality the beautiful. And this search we have to carry on not whimsically, but systematically. Not with empty expectations, but with full dedication. Because the more dedication we have, the brighter vision we shall achieve.

So, the direct method for the absolute search – this is bhakti-yoga, when following the spiritual master we positively try to understand who is this Absolute Truth, who is this person. And this search is not simply a theoretical search, but we are looking forKrishna in a very special way. We want to perceive Him. We are not satisfied with some theoretic approach contained in books, hidden in some antique places. No, we are searching for direct experience. But experience without dedication will not happen. God is all-powerful,Krishna is all-powerful, but the pure devotee is even more powerful than Him. So the direct method means you become very close to the Absolute. Theoretically you cannot love somebody. We can love somebody only practically. There is no other way. So we are not searching for theories about divine love, but we are searching for direct experience. And following the footsteps and the instructions of our spiritual masters, we have a hope to come to such a platform, where we shall be able to perceive the Lord.