


Sharanagati
Collected words from talks of Swami Tirtha
Jul
13
(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 11.05.2017 pm, Sofia)
(continues from the previous Friday)
“My dear King Rahugana, unless one has the opportunity to smear his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth. One cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy [brahmacarya], strictly following the rules and regulations of householder life, leaving home as a vanaprastha, accepting sannyasa, or undergoing severe penances in winter by keeping oneself submerged in water or surrounding oneself in summer by fire and the scorching heat of the sun. There are many other processes to understand the Absolute Truth, but the Absolute Truth is only revealed to one who has attained the mercy of a great devotee.”[1]
This is the way to reach it – not by tapas, not by knowledge, not by this, not by that; simply the path of mercy opens the door. This is the shortcut; although there are no shortcuts, and no easier solutions, etc. Nevertheless, if we want to find the ultimate shortcut, this is it. If we achieve the special attention of a saintly person, that will definitely improve our life. This is a divine principle. It’s not necessary to blindly believe this. Try it, try to experience that, try to achieve that. See for yourself whether it works in your case or not. Be ready to investigate this truth. See for yourself, because when you perceive this, then you can fully believe. And irrespective of the relative situation and life environment that we have – ascetic or in a family – if this mercy is provided to us, it will improve our situation. So, the question is not to change our relative position, but to acquire the divine touch.
Who are the pure devotees mentioned here? “In an assembly of pure devotees, there is no question of discussing material subjects like politics and sociology. In an assembly of pure devotees, there is discussion only of the qualities, forms and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is praised and worshiped with full attention. In the association of pure devotees, by constantly hearing such topics respectfully, even a person who wants to merge into the existence of the Absolute Truth abandons this idea and gradually becomes attached to the service of Vasudeva.”[2]
Usually what are the topics of human discussion? I know a little bit more about the male company discussions. Money, women, position, football, some politics – these are the games of the big boys. Ladies: usually a special type of makeup, a new diet, men, kids…So, we all have some topics to discuss, right. But sorry, all these topics are the less valuable treasures. Hardly any of these will stay with us for a long time. From the fresh sixteen we very easily, very quickly become dry sixty. So don’t have this bodily conception of life. It’s better to develop a spiritual consciousness. Therefore we have to discuss other topics that will stay with us for a longer time. It is very nicely mentioned here that “God is praised and worshipped with full attention.” And this will bring about a transformation of the interest also. If you enter such a circle of pure devotees, it will change your interest.
And this verdict of the ancient scriptures going back thousand of years is proven to be true by my experience. Once I met a young student at the university. He was studying history, but was very much interested in the oriental sciences. So, he told me: “I have such and such education and I am attracted to Bon Buddhism.” I said: “Ah, very nice! Go ahead, this is something very interesting.” And then he added: “But I am also interested in the Sanskrit language and here is somebody in my city who teaches Sanskrit so I met that person and I study Sanskrit under his care.” I said: “Very interesting! May I know who that person is?” And then he named our devotee, who is practically the best Sanskrit teacher in the world, or at least in Hungary. Then I said: “Please, go on studying Sanskrit!” So, after a few months we talked again. And he said: “You know, in the beginning I was interested in Bon Buddhism, but now I am more interested in Bengal vaisnavism.” So, in the association of pure devotion your set of values, your interest will be more refined.
(to be continued)
[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 5.12.12
[2] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 5.12.13
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