Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 20.06.2017 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

We are searching for adi-rasa, the original connection that we all have. And what will happen if you find this?

Let me quote a very poetic expression for that. Krishna’s pastimes will help us to develop a very detailed and complicated system of relationship to Him. And this beautiful relationship with all the details is a never-ending, inexhaustible source of inspiration for arts in general in India. And not only for the artistic expression, but also for the devotional expression. So therefore let us quote only one verse from the Chaitanya Charitamrita[1]:

“Krishna’s bodily beauty is just like a ripple on the ocean of ever-lasting youth.” It’s very difficult to continue. Because even that first sentence is so high, so sweet. So, Krishna’s beauty is like an ocean. And we discussed that people usually go to the sea to enjoy. Go closer to this ocean, so that the ultimate enjoyment of your heart and soul should happen!

And this is not simply an ocean, but it’s an ocean in waves. And what happens in this ocean? “In this unlimited ocean there is the whirlpool of the ecstatic divine love.” Wow! That’s dangerous! If in a great water there is a whirlpool, that’s dangerous.

“The sound of the flute of Krishna is compared to the whirlwind. And the flying minds of the gopis are compared to the dry straws and leaves.” So what happens if their mind is sucked or taken by this whirlwind? “They will never rise again, but they are forever hurled to the lotus feet of Krishna.”

So, Krishna’s beauty is like an ocean in waves, and the sound of His flute is so charming like a whirlwind capturing the minds of the gopis – which are like dry leaves. And even a small wind will very easily move the dry leaves, right? What to speak of a whirlwind, a tornado! And if this Krishna-tornado will capture the minds of the gopis, it will eternally put these minds at His lotus feet. So what can we say about this? Nothing else.

Therefore the beginning is yoga, the second is bhakti and the goal is prema – to be exposed to this divine tornado.

(to be continued)

[1] Chaitanya-Charitamrita, Madhya, 21. 113