Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 03.01.2018 morning, Sofia)

I am very happy that we are together this morning. Yesterday evening we discussed a little bit more with the devotees and somebody said: “When I read one book, I am trembling from this reading and meaning.” Then I also said: “Yes, when we read the books of Rupa Goswami, we also tremble.” Therefore I think it is best to study the books of Rupa Goswami. Because the process that we have joined is about divine relationship. So, it’s not only about relationship, but about divine one. Ultimately everything is connected to the Supreme ultimate source. Ishvarah paramah krishnah sach-chid-ananda-vigrahah anadir adir govindah sarva-karana-karanam [1]– Ishvara, the Supreme controller, is Krishna. And His character, His nature is like eternity, consciousness and bliss. Ishvarah paramah krishnah sach-chid-ananda-vigrahah – He is the embodiment of these ultimate features. Anadir adir govindah – He is the primeval, original Govinda, and the cause of all causes – sarva-karana-karanam.

So, this whole Universe, this whole everything is determined by certain factors. One factor is space. The second, very close to the previous one, is time. Everything in this relative platform exists in the time and space continuum. And the third factor is the rule of cause and effect – it is called karma, action-reaction. Plus there is a fourth, very strong factor that determines practically everything, and this is information. Do you agree? One who possesses information possesses people. Correct? But fortunately, the Vedas possess all the information that is necessary. Because Veda means ‘information’, Veda means ‘knowledge’. So, all the information that is necessary to create and recreate a Universe is contained in the original Vedas. With all the transformations and permutations of more than eighty million mantras of Creation.

And from among all these factors, all knowledge belongs to Krishna. Time is Him. The world is created or emanated, expanded energy of His. And He is sarva-karana-karanam, the cause of all causes. So, practically all these basic factors that determine our life – time, space, karma, information – are Him. They either come from Him, or are directly Him. And you know, usually the effect or the consequence contains practically everything of the cause. They say: “The pear does not fall too far from the tree.” So, action-reaction, cause-effect are very close to each other. If Krishna is sach-chid-ananda-vigrahah, then what about us? I think we can all agree that we are somehow consequences of Krishna. He is the ultimate source of all energies and jiva-shakti is His expansion, His power. This result, this consequence should also reflect the original nature and features of the cause. So, we are sach-chid-ananda as well. Although this is а little curbed today, nevertheless we are not born to die. This is not the cause, not the reason of our life. Definitely it will happen on the bodily platform. But if something perishes, that proves it’s not eternal. The spirit is eternal, the soul is eternal. Therefore we need to come to the spiritual platform, where we shall understand our true nature: what does it mean that we are eternal souls? What is the essence of pure and enlightened consciousness? And what is the nature of bliss?

So, which of these topics should we discuss? Are you satisfied with the rules of existence? Are you satisfied with some dry information about your theoretical conscious construction? Or shall we discuss love? I think we can all understand that this last topic is more charming then the previous ones.

And Rupa Goswami is a very well-versed author. He knows the taste of human beings. He knows that human beings are not satisfied with the basic rules of existence. He knows that they are not satisfied with some dry information, but they are thirsty, desperately searching for some spiritual fulfillment, anandam. And I don’t know what your experience is, but my experience is that the best anandam comes from relationship. Of course the best torture also comes from relationships. But ultimately everything is a question of rasa. What can you extract from a relationship – nectar or poison? And this is not the basic rules of existence, this is not dry information, but this is the science of divine relationships. Therefore my humble suggestion is to study or read something about the divine relationships from Shrila Rupa Goswami.

(to be continued)

[1] Brahma Samhita 5.1