Sharanagati

“The gradual development of prema, divine love, may be compared to different states of sugar. First there is the seed of sugarcane, then the sugarcane itself and then the juice extracted from the cane. When the juice is boiled, it forms liquid molasses, then solid molasses, then sugar, candy, rock candy and lozenges.”[1]

So, what stage do you have? Have you got the seeds? Or the lozenges?

Therefore we like to belong to this school. Because it gives you the best. The best of sweet taste.

Kripadham: I have a question, actually three questions. Is it possible if someone is not so much dedicated to guru, but very much dedicated to the spiritual practice to achieve the same results? The second question is…

Swami Tirtha: Slowly, slowly! I cannot answer many questions at the same time, so one by one. We should follow a gradual process. One question – one answer. But actually, as this is a mystic process, one question – hundreds of answers. Depending on the level that you can reach in understanding the answers. So, you ask: if we dedicate ourselves to the practice or if we dedicate ourselves to the master, is it possible to reach the same goals?

Kripadham: To reach these heights, to get the candies? If we are dedicated to the spiritual practice, but we have not so strong connection with the guru, is it possible to get the candies?

Swami Tirtha: Well, let’s take a material example. Where are the candies hidden? They are hidden in a special shop. And this shop is protected by the owner of the shop. On normal days he gives candies only to the qualified customers. To put it short – only for those who are ready to pay the price. But sometimes there is some festive occasion when they freely distribute the candies. Then you can get one piece if you are fortunate. But as it is so sweet and so attractive, you want to have a second one. Still you have to work very hard to get the second one. If you are a good friend with the shop-keeper, you will have entrance to the inner store. Otherwise you can be very knowledgeable about the candies, you can read all the shastras, you can search on the Internet, and also you can stand in front of the shop window, but it’s not the taste.

So, I would say we cannot reach the same results by simply following certain spiritual practices and by trying to satisfy your spiritual master. Because one is the long path and the other is the shortcut. And as we are part of a descending process, the result is not due to our own efforts but it’s something given to us, descending to us.

But how to satisfy our masters? How to be good friends with the shop-keeper? Follow the instructions. If he says: “My dear son, you should follow all the philosophy and all the rules and all the teachings, do this and this spiritual practice in order to be purified,” then we have to do it. Then we can reach the candy. But as the guru is sevak-bhagavan[2], without that connection it is practically impossible to come to the deeper aspects of devotional service.

At the same time, simply being a fanatic of one’s spiritual master or to cultivate guruism instead of real surrender, it will not help you. Your second question?

(to be continued)

[1] Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya-lila, 19.179

[2] The serving God