Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 10.05.2017 pm, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

Question of Haribhakti: Is it possible for us to know and perceive God with this consciousness that is given to us, when even Lord Brahma in Shrimad Bhagavatam explains to Narada that he cannot understand God?

Swami Tirtha: What can I say? I think it is very true what you say, because although the Supreme Lord is very close to us, we feel very far away from Him. So, it’s not a question of real distance, but it’s a question of, let’s say, distortion of consciousness. Perfection is here and now. If we cannot perceive that now, here – then when? Why do you think that tomorrow you will be able to do that? If we cannot touch divinity right now, if we cannot put ourselves in front of the Supreme, to enjoy His company – then when? Why is tomorrow a better opportunity then today?

Nevertheless, in most of the cases what you say is very much true – it’s hard. But if we are attentive, maybe we don’t see the Supreme Lord face to face, but we can see the marks betraying Him. That will tell all the story about Him. This we can always see. Every day you see the sun. What is the sun? The sun for us is the eye of the Supreme Lord. Or you see the moon – it’s Krishna Candra, Goura Candra. They are the full moon on the horizon of our midnight sky. So, there are unlimited ways to remember. We only need the eye, we only need the perception for that.

This was very nicely described by Shrila Shridhara Maharaja. A very nice devotee visited him once, he was sitting alone on the veranda of his temple. And you know, at that time it was one temple and the grand jungle around. Then Shridhara Maharaja was just meditating, looking around the jungle and he said: “So many things are here to remember, to remind us of Lord Chaitanya.” What you see is the jungle; what he sees is Mahaprabhu.

Therefore it is said: the fool and the wise watch the same tree, but they see a different tree. Here is life as a tree, we observe life. But what do we see there? Limitation, suffering, death?  Or a chance for eternal life, happiness, joy? What do you see? Be realistic – there are limitations. But be optimistic – there is a superior reality.

So, I say yes, it is possible to perceive God.

Once Gurudev asked his devotees: “Do you want to meet Shrimati Radharani?” Oh, everybody said: “Yes, of course, of course!” and then he said: “Yes, 4:30 in the morning you can meet Her in the temple. She is here on the altar”

So, if you want something – give a little sacrifice. Come on time.