Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 10.01.2016 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday) 

But then a little more information is coming. How to reach? Srinvatam sva-kathah krishnah punya-shravana-kirtanah hridy antah stho hy abhadrani vidhunoti suhrit satam[1] – “Shri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma, the Supersoul in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed an urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.”

So, to listen to the divine message and the glories of God – this in itself is a pious activity. And it will help us to purify more and more. This is a way to attract the attention of God to us. And then what will happen? A very thorough and very profound purification will happen in our hearts. The desire for material enjoyments will change. Because there are three types of enjoyments: the material type, the spiritual type and devotional type – this is like the most refined happiness.

Our inner desire is purifying. From the material ambitions we shall come to some spiritual desires. Why? Because the Supreme Lord is there in everybody’s heart. Krishna says: “I’m not living in My spiritual abode” – although we expect God to live in heaven, not to interfere too much in our lives, right? “I’m not living up there, don’t think! Neither do I live in the hearts of those who meditate, in the hearts of the yogis.” Naham vasami vaikunthe[2] – “not in the heaven”; yoginam hridaye na cha – “nor in the hearts of the yogis”; mad bhakta yatra gayanti – “but where My devotees come together”; tatra tishthami narada – “I live there.” So, if you want to find the residence of God, this is in the company of His devotees, when they come together to hear, chant, sing, listen to His glories. He is there. Or better I say: He is here.

Then what happens? If this purification of the heart and cleansing of material desires and ambitions is fulfilled, then we can wait for some consequences. Nashta prayeshv-abhadreshu nityam bhagavata-sevaya bhagavaty uttama-sloke bhaktir bhavati naishtiki[3] – “By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.”

So, after this purification, devotion is established in the heart. Which is the most precious part of our body? You might say: “This is our head because with the head I can think.” You can say: “This is my genitals because through them I can reach most happiness.” Or you can come up with many other ideas, but I think we all feel that the most precious place that we have is the heart. The real power of the human being is hidden in the heart. No doubt, there is some power in the arms of men; no doubt, there is some power in the arguments of women; and we all share some power in our brain; but basically the best-best place and the most powerful energy we all have is in our bosom. This is the seat of the soul and also seat of God. Therefore this place should be cleansed.

(to be continued)

[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam 1.2.17

[2] Narada Samhita

[3] Shrimad Bhagavatam 1.2.18