Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 11.05.2017 pm, Sofia) 

(continues from the previous Friday)

“In a previous birth I was known as Maharaja Bharata. I attained perfection by becoming completely detached from material activities through direct experience, and through indirect experience I received understanding from the Vedas. I was fully engaged in the service of the Lord, but due to my misfortune, I became very affectionate to a small deer, so much so that I neglected my spiritual duties. Due to my deep affection for the deer, in my next life I had to accept the body of a deer.”[1]

What is important here is the direct and the indirect knowledge. Indirect knowledge – this is the data or the information that you collect. But direct knowledge is perception. We can say this is a God experience, divine experience, a personal revelation to you. And we cannot debate over that, because this is personal. You say ‘Radha-Mohan’, I say ‘Radha-Govinda’, right? This is personal. The first level is tattva; indirect knowledge is information – this is tattva, this is the theology or the science of God; we can debate over that. But about your personal experience, the direct knowledge, the direct perception – how can we debate over that? We can only exchange our views. And the higher you reach, the more refined understanding you will have, the more friends you will find. And this spiritual exchange about your experience will be more and more delightful. Just like in the Gita it is said: “My devotees always exchange the views about Me and it brings great happiness to them.”[2] So, this is about indirect knowledge like collecting information, learning the science of God; and direct knowledge – that is experience.

“My dear King, hero, due to my past sincere service to the Lord, I could remember everything of my past life even while in the body of a deer. Because I am aware of the falldown in my past life, I always keep myself separate from the association of ordinary men. Being afraid of their bad, materialistic association, I wander alone unnoticed by others.”[3]

To maintain the consciousness is a blessing of the Supreme. Whether this is throughout different lifetimes or in one lifetime, if you can maintain a steady state of consciousness, you are blessed. Don’t lose the chance, take the opportunity. We can never know whether tomorrow we can come here or not. So let’s do it now, today. Don’t lose a moment.

And the real accomplishment doesn’t depend on the popularity you gain, or the acknowledgment of others, or the opinion of others; it depends on your achievements and how much the Lord sees your purity of intention. You may wander unnoticed by others, alone; if you are fully dedicated, you are never alone. So don’t be charmed by the external formalities. It’s better to be a sincere sweeper in the street then a charlatan yogi.

“Simply by associating with exalted devotees, anyone can attain perfection of knowledge and with the sword of knowledge can cut to pieces the illusory associations within this material world. Through the association of devotees, one can engage in the service of the Lord by hearing and chanting [shravanam kirtanam]. Thus one can revive his dormant Krishna consciousness and, sticking to the cultivation of Krishna consciousness, return home, back to Godhead, even in this life.”[4]

This is our goal, this is our program for this lifetime. Find your way back home, back to Godhead. Cut the network of illusion; with the sword of divine knowledge it is possible. Try to capture your conscious identity and try to dedicate this captured, conscious identity at the lotus feet of the supreme Divine Couple.

What is the summary of all these long chapters that we had covered during these days? A small mistake – great consequences. But the opposite is also true: a small commitment, small beginnings – greater ends. A little you give, much you will achieve.

And then the verses analyzed the material situation – all these different elements and gunas, and influences, and illusion, and this and that. But what is the point here? That the first chapter of the story is sad. Our story is sad. Because we have lost the divine harmony. Somehow, due to some unknown reason we are expelled from heaven. And here we are. Therefore one eye is crying. But the second chapter of this story, the other eye is also crying – because of hope and love. Because we know that it is possible to return home. Irrespective of the tribulations that we have to go through on the relative platform, we can return. We have an invitation; therefore one eye cries due to suffering, the other eye cries due to bliss. If we were expelled from the divine realm in order to return, it’s worth it. So please, do everything necessary for that return. Reach there, by reaching what you have reached everything.

[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 5.12.14

[2] Bhagavad Gita 10.9

[3] Shrimad Bhagavatam 5.12.15

[4] Shrimad Bhagavatam 5.12.16