Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 14.08.2018, Ludasto)

(continues from the previous Friday)

“All the cooked rice was stacked on palasha leaves, which were on new cloths spread over the ground. Around the stack of cooked rice were stacks of chapatis, and all the vegetables and liquid vegetable preparations were placed in different pots and put around them. Pots of yogurt, milk, buttermilk and shikharini, sweet rice, cream and solid cream were placed alongside the vegetables. In this way the Annakuṭa ceremony was performed, and Madhavendra Puri Gosvami personally offered everything to Gopala. Many waterpots were filled with scented water for drinking, and Lord Shri Gopala, who had been hungry for many days, ate everything offered to Him. Although Shri Gopala ate everything offered, still, by the touch of His transcendental hand, everything remained as before.”[1]

All glories to the Supreme Lord that something remains. Once my dear godbrothers were really astonished. They brought the big plate of offerings to Krishna, chanted the mantras and waited until the Lord eats. And when the main pujari returned he said: “Ah, it’s empty. Krishna has accepted it, He has taken it.” Then the others in the kitchen said: “Ah, again you forgot to put the food into the plate.” But we never know! Krishna can eat and leave everything there. Or even if you don’t give a portion to Him, He can accept it and be fully satisfied. Some say that miracles are not real. But I say reality is a miracle.

“How Gopala ate everything while the food remained the same was transcendentally perceived by Madhavendra Puri Gosvami; nothing remains a secret to the devotees of the Lord. The wonderful festival and installation of Shri Gopalaji was arranged in one day. Certainly all this was accomplished by the potency of Gopala. No one but a devotee can understand this. Madhavendra Puri offered water to Gopala for washing His mouth and gave Him betel nuts to chew. Then, while arati was performed, all the people chanted, “Jaya, Jaya!” [“All glories to Gopala!”]. Arranging for the Lord’s rest, Shri Madhavendra Puri brought a new cot, and over this he spread a new bedspread and thus made the bed ready. A temporary temple was constructed by covering the bed all around with a straw mattress. Thus there was a bed and a straw mattress to cover it. After the Lord was laid down to rest on the bed, Madhavendra Puri gathered all the brahmanas who had prepared the prasadam and said to them, “Now feed everyone sumptuously, from the children on up to the aged!” All the people gathered there sat down to honor the prasadam, and by and by they took food. All the brahmanas and their wives were fed first. Those who took prasadam included not only the people of Govardhana village but also those who came from other villages. They also saw the Deity of Gopala and were offered prasadam to eat. Seeing the influence of Madhavendra Puri, all the people gathered there were struck with wonder. They saw that the Annakuta ceremony, which had been performed before during the time of Krishna, was now taking place again by the mercy of Shri Madhavendra Puri. All the brahmanas present on that occasion were initiated by Madhavendra Puri into the Vaishnava cult, and Madhavendra Puri engaged them in different types of service.[2]

So, the Annakuta ceremony is like an ocean of food. I think everybody likes this part of our tradition. “Philosophy? – Ah, it’s really complicated. Tapasya? – No, no, it’s too difficult. Prasad? – Yes! I am coming!”

But at least we can feel the attractive power of God through some channel – through any channel, it doesn’t matter. Because that is true – you cannot acquire Krishna trough very complicated theories or philosophy. You cannot capture God by your tapas. While you raise only one hand, that’s only half dedication. If you raise both hands, it’s a full surrender.

(to be continued)

[1] Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya, 4.72-77

[2] Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya, 4.78-87