Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.05.2017 evening, Rila Mountain)

(continues from the previous Friday)

“The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.”[1]

Now, this is a culmination. So far we understood that the spiritual master has to chop wood, cleanse the temple, cook the food. But now we’ve got some news. He is surcharged with the loving worship of Radha and Madhava. Who is Madhava? Radhika you all know, Radha is the most beautiful girl in the village. But who is Madhava? Madhava is the Lord of the Goddess of the fortune. He is very wealthy. He possesses all the treasures of the world. Otherwise madhu has a different other meaning, madhu means ‘honey’. So, His wealth is sweet like honey. Therefore, the material reflection of that original wealth is also very sweet. But what happens if you become firmly established in connection with this Madhava, with this possessor of madhu? Then you become a sadhu, you will live according to the supreme absolute truth – with a special tinge, with a special taste. You will live according to the honey, you can become a madhu-sadhu. So, if you serve Radha-Madhava, you can become a madhu-sadhu. But what about the next verse?

“The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krishna’s conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrindavana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master”.

You see, it’s not only the temple, it’s not only the building – it’s a forest grove, a hidden place. The most intimate aspects of worship, your meeting with divinity is in a hidden place. Secret rendezvous of the hearts and souls. This is not an astonishing vision of the Supreme truth; no, this is a loving rendezvous. And if we are introduced into this intimate connection, we need to offer our respects.

“The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Shri Hari”.

Sakshad – a direct representative of the Supreme. Hari means ‘who snatches everything that is blocking your path’. And this aspect is glorified in all the scriptures. Because such a master who helps everybody around to come closer to the divine ambitions is very dear to the Supreme. If somebody is dear to our beloved God, then he should also be dear to us.

(to be continued)

[1] Verses 5-7 from the song Shri Gurvashtaka