Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 09.05.2017 evening, Sofia)

I am very happy that we are together. We are in the midst of a very nice and very important ancient historical event, which bears also a deep spiritual significance. So, please pay attention to the evolvement of the story, because it might tell us something also in the present age. The most important thing is to apply the theory in our practice. Because we are all searching for God Supreme. If you put the question “Where is God?”, mythology will say “God is in the past”; mysticism will say ”God is in the future”, while divine love will say: “God is here and now”. So, don’t search in history, don’t search in the past. Don’t wait until the unknown future comes. Try to meet divinity right now and here.

We studied a discourse between a king and a servant. Our main concern is about the servant, he is Jada Bharata – a very special person for us. We were following his past lives throughout many chapters, many phases. We had seen the changes in his conditions and environment. And finally he ended up as a palanquin carrier of a king. Jada Bharata was very careful about the ants, not to hurt them while moving on the path. Therefore the palanquin was shaking and the king was dissatisfied. Then a discussion started between the king and the servant. First the king expressed his royal behavior of dominating the situation. But very soon he came to his senses, as soon as he heard the answer and the instruction coming from this servant, who seemed to be a very simple person, but actually he was an enlightened saint. So here we continue the story.

“The king immediately descended from his palanquin and fell flat on the ground with his head at the lotus feet of Jada Bharata in such a way that he might be excused for his insulting words against the great brahmana. He then prayed as follows.

O brahmana, you appear to be moving in this world very much covered and unknown to others. Who are you? Are you a learned brahmana and a saintly person? I see that you are wearing a sacred thread. Are you one of those exalted, liberated saints such as Dattatreya and other highly advanced, learned scholars? May I ask whose disciple you are? Where do you live? Why have you come to this place? Is your mission in coming here to do good for us? Please let me know who you are.”[1]

These ancient histories are very instructive in the daily conduct of life also. If you meet a person, according to this traditional way, this is the way how to inquire about his identity. And mostly they don’t ask who you are, but they ask: “Whose disciple you are? Which line you belong to?” Because that gives the identity. This is like belonging to a spiritual lineage, a spiritual family. So, if you want to be polite with another spiritual person or with someone coming from India, this is the way to inquire: “My name is this and this, and what is your good name? Whose disciple you are?”

(to be continued)

[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 5.10.15-16