Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 08.05.2018, Rila)

(continues from the previous Monday)

These four things I have understood about bhakti – it’s totally free, independent, comes on its own; it’s very effective; we don’t know how it works; and it is overwhelming.

So, I think I cannot understand it. I have a very vague concept. But therefore, I believe. I believe it works. Even when I see it doesn’t work on myself still, if I observe others, I see it’s very effectively working. So, therefore I truly believe this. Yet if you cannot believe that this process is as described, then you should follow it. Then human resistance and opposition are totally smashed. Here we have received such a method to approach a higher reality which is, I think, very much applicable – because it is so incredible! Faith is a form of spiritual vision, of subtle vision, it’s an approach to the higher reality: “If you are unable to prove something, with that you should agree. If you cannot understand something – that you should believe. And if you cannot believe something – that you should admire, love, and follow.”

It’s not the scrutiny of your mind, it’s not your intellectual capacity that you have to apply. But very subtle human capacities… practical gifts – like your appreciation, like your faith, like your love and obedience to follow. It’s such a beautiful way to approach something! I think this approach is ultra-modern. It’s a revolutionary approach to the higher reality. Do you have any ideas about the source of this advice? Where is it coming from?

Paramananda: It reminds me of the style of Beinsa Duno.

Swami Tirtha: Other suggestions?

Pavitra: It reminds me of these stories from the East, when two philosophical groups debate on some topic. And those who lose the debate, they become followers of the winner.

Swami Tirtha: So, Pavitra says this is an oriental source. And Param says this is contemporary advice. Actually this comes from Jeremy Taylor, an English bishop from the 17th century. Very remarkable! “If you cannot prove something, agree. If you cannot understand, believe. If you cannot believe, follow.” Therefore naham vasami vaikunthe – “I don’t live in Vaikuntha. I’m neither in the hearts of the yogis. But where My devotees come together glorifying Me – there I am.”

You know, devotees are usually simpleminded folks. Once Puri Maharaj was very funny in that respect. He said, “Complicated philosophy? Haribol – this is our answer.” You see, devotees are simpleminded folks. They don’t want to prove their truths. They’re ready to agree. They don’t want to prove that bhakti–yoga is the best way to approach divine reality. They simply agree on this point. How it works – they cannot understand. ‘Our ultimate understanding is Hare Krishna and mahaprasad. This we know.’ So they don’t understand, but they believe. And as they are optimists and idealists and they have heard on the lecture that ‘transcendence means you believe the unbelievable’ they truly believe that with time they will join the divine lila. They cannot prove that, they cannot understand that, but they admire the concept.

Because our perfection is unbelievable. Some say that our purification is just like washing a coal, trying to make it white. You can try, you can try – the coal remains black. Therefore we believe it can become white. We cannot prove, we cannot understand, but we firmly believe that eventually we shall find our way back home, back to God. How it happens – we don’t mind. It’s Their business. My business is to truly believe this.

(to be continued)