Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 25.08.2016 morning, Ludasto)

(continues from the previous Friday) 

In their elaborated questions the sages also mention something more:

“O wise Suta, please narrate to us the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Godhead’s multi-incarnations. Such auspicious adventures and pastimes of the Lord, the supreme controller, are performed by His internal powers. We never tire of hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, who is glorified by hymns and prayers. Those who have developed a taste for transcendental relationships with Him relish hearing of His pastimes at every moment.”[1]

Our sages knew the secret. They knew it before receiving the answer. Therefore they focus on the pastimes of Krishna. First they were just beating around the bush, but then touching the real target, specifying their ultimate object. And especially which type of pastime?

“Lord Shri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, along with Balarama, played like a human being, and so masked He performed many superhuman acts. Knowing well that the Age of Kali has already begun, we are assembled here in this holy place to hear at great length the transcendental message of Godhead and in this way perform sacrifice. We think that we have met Your Goodness by the will of providence, just so that we may accept you as captain of the ship for those who desire to cross the difficult ocean of Kali, which deteriorates all the good qualities of a human being.”[2]

And finally: “Since Shri Krishna, the Absolute Truth, the master of all mystic powers, has departed for His own abode, please tell us to whom the religious principles have now gone for shelter?”[3]

This world is empty. If Krishna withdraws – this is empty. “One moment without You feels like a long Yuga.”[4] Yugaitam nimeshena chakshusha pravishaitam shunyaitam… “Shunya – this is empty. Without You this whole world is empty.” This was the bitter feeling of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. And also this was the concern of the sages. This is the drama of spiritual persons – ‘God is gone; what am I to do now?’ That was a moment of expectation for them. And now we have to condense the thousand year long sacrifice of the sages into this present day. So that by our services, by our prayers, by our mantras, meditations, whatever we do in the same mood of sacrifice, we invite and expect the appearance of Krishna that He returns.

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo

yato bhaktir adhokshaje

ahaituky apratihata

yayatma suprasidati[5]

“The best engagement for all humanity is that by which men can achieve the loving service of the Supreme. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.”

We don’t stop now, we go one step further – to understand what is the nature of dedication that will fully satisfy the heart.

vasudeve bhagavati

bhakti-yogah prayojitah

janayaty ashu vairagyam

gyanam ca yad ahaitukam[6]

“By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Shri Krishna, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world”.

So, if we serve selflessly Krishna, automatically the blessings of divine knowledge, the blessings of independence from entanglement will come. Don’t be afraid of these results. Don’t worry, you will not lose. I think now we have got the know-how how to perform our activities for today and for this lifetime. I pray that the divine touch reveals the secrets to us. So that we all find the treasure at the end of our journey.

[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.1.18-19

[2] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.1.20-22

[3] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.1.23

[4] Shikshashtakam 7

[5] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.2.6

[6] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.2.7