Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.05.2018, Rila)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Usually we don’t discuss ‘there are so many demons’, usually we don’t discuss ‘you are in maya’ – although this is true. And, again, we don’t discuss the offences to the holy name, but they are there. Yet why don’t we discuss this dangerous side of bhakti? Because, in my deepest conviction, it is much better to learn and discuss the positive side of bhakti – how to chant properly. For if you pay too much attention to learning and fixing the nama-aparadh, then you might develop an aparadh mentality.

For example, in other places people develop a devil consciousness. ‘This is a trick of the devil!’ And they will see the tricks of the devil all around. Why don’t they see the merciful glance of Lord Jesus, the saviour? So beware, don’t develop a maya consciousness, don’t develop an aparadh consciousness.

But you have to be aware that there are some requirements to chant purely, to chant properly. I don’t want to discuss the nama–aparadh too much, but there is something that I have to mention. They say there is no chance of nama–aparadh for those who are not initiated. It is reserved only for those who are initiated practitioners. Why? If you are, so to say, an outsider, there is no chance to commit any offence. Because you want it so sincerely, with such a pure intention, that you simply have that spiritual desire. But as soon as you commit yourself to your practice and then you don’t fulfil the requirements, that’s a mistake. Why?

If any other lady doesn’t supply the husband with supper, it’s no problem. But if the only lady doesn’t supply the husband with supper, that’s a big mistake. Shall we call this the supper aparadh? Or: if any other man doesn’t take care of you, it’s no problem. But if the only one who should take care of you doesn’t fulfil that duty, that’s a big mistake. Why? Because if there is commitment, there is a chance to commit a mistake. Otherwise, there is no possibility.

Therefore, think twice before you commit yourself to the chanting of the holy names. ‘Now it’s too late,’ you say. ‘I have committed myself, so I have to qualify.’ Try to avoid all the possible mistakes, all the inattentive chanting. We have to be careful about it. Try to do it the best way you can.

But the other day I mentioned to you that ‘citiram’ might bring some good results. So if even the shadow of the holy name can benefit you, if you chant it properly, how much benefit is there? Much more.

The holy name is immaculate, eternal and full of divine bliss or divine blessings. Therefore, we have to treat it like this. When you touch your japa to invite the holy names, you should feel like ‘Now I am connected to eternity. Now I will engage myself in divine service.’ And when you touch it, a divine energy should enter you. This is a way to engage yourself in your original form in the service. There is your sadhaka-deha – as a man or as a woman, as a beginner, as an elder, it doesn’t matter. But when you are really tuned, then you are in your siddha-deha, in your perfect form. And by chanting the names in your siddha-deha, you can perform extraordinary nice service. So take it as a chance to enter the real life, the real devotional life.

In order to touch the purity of the holy name, we have to be pure. And why all these different powers are there in the holy name? Because there is no difference between the name and the named. Therefore, to improve our chanting, we have to be very attentive.

(to be continued)