Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 6.09.2015 pm, Sofia)

It is said, our Lord is never alone. He always likes the company of His beloved ones. Therefore wherever our Lord Krishna appears, some others will also accompany Him. And this is symbolically so nice that first God comes and after one day Shrila Prabhupada appeared. He was jagad-guru, teacher of the whole world. He brought the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to the West. And by this message we are so fortunate to sit here.

What is the best way to celebrate such a great personality and such an event? If we listen to the advise of such a grand teacher. In a short 11 years he practically accomplished his mission to establish Krishna-bhakti in the world. How much did we achieve during the last eleven years in our lives? A worldwide influence? Maybe not. Yet if we could improve our life and our mood – that is similarly a great achievement. But it’s not only the past eleven years; we still have some upcoming eleven years. And I hope during this decade ahead of us we shall accomplish something great.

Shrila Prabhupada was a very eloquent speaker; he had written many books and translated many works of sacred literature. Even on his deathbed he was translating the Shrimad Bhagavatam. This is such a nice example for us – that even in the last moments he was attached to service. And one of his early books is a treasure-house. He discusses the gradual development of our conception, of our belief. This book is called The Ultimate Goal of Life. I think we all have to identify what is the goal of our life. Live, love, leave? Three steps: live, love and then leave. If we can do that in a proper manner – it’s enough. Because if we have come here, definitely we should leave this place. So, coming and going – that’s for sure. What will we do in between the entrance and the exit – this is the question. So, in these funny three words love, divine love is the duty that we have to accomplish. And how to do that – this is the question. Therefore we shall read from this very essential book of Shrila Prabhupada. And you know, to identify our goal we have to be intelligent. Therefore this chapter is titled The most learned fellow.

“The gradual development of educational activities should be estimated in the following manner. Brahma-vidya, or knowledge of the spirit soul, is superior of the knowledge to the physical world. Knowledge about the personality of Godhead is superior to the knowledge of the impersonal Brahman, or spirit. And knowledge of Shri Krishna and His pastimes is superior to the knowledge of the personality of Godhead, Vishnu”[1].

So, here we get a gradual explanation of higher and higher realms and achievements of spiritual knowledge. The first level of knowledge or perception is the external world. How much we know about our material environment? Not so much. We think that everything is discovered on this planet Earth. But it’s not! Any moment even this planet Earth can show you some new miracles. Yet beyond this type of material knowledge there is the knowledge of the soul – that there is something more. This is called brahma-vidya – to know that there is a live spiritual principle behind all material revelations. This is like a very general conception about divinity. But if we want to focus more our attention, then we shall come to a personal concept of God, we shall see the source of all divine powers and energies. And so many have personal concepts of the Supreme Lord, but from all these different approaches – aradhananam sarvesam visnor aradhanam param[2] – the best way of worship is the worship of Lord Vishnu, who is pervading all existence. Is there anything beyond that? Beyond that is a very specific conception of the Supreme. The playful God; this is Shri Krishna with His pastimes. And the pastimes also include devotees. So this is the way – approach Him and you will find everybody there. Krishna is always surrounded by His beloved devotees.

(to be continued)

[1] In Search of the Ultimate Goal of Life, by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

[2] Padma Purana