Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 12.08.2018, Ludasto)

(continues from the previous Friday)

Do you have your plan for when you’ll meet Krishna? Have you ever thought of that? For example, your sadhana is to offer a thousand dandavats in the morning. You bow down and all of a sudden you see some beautiful lotus feet in front of you. Have you ever thought of that? What are you going to do? “Wait, I want to do my dandavats!” Or what? So please, develop your personal plan. At least you will have something to forget when you meet Him. If you don’t have anything at least to forget, then what can you bring to Krishna?

Therefore, we want to follow the example of Madhavendra Puri. Day or night – it doesn’t matter. Every other day a different tree – it doesn’t matter. Even ‘I live an ascetic life so I keep my fast and if somebody comes and gives me some milk – I’m ready to give up my attachment to my renunciation. I take it.’ But the inquiry is there. “Who are you? How do you know that I keep fasting?”

Because first during the awake consciousness we have to control our mind. Then – in the sleeping condition as well. What does it mean, ‘day and night merge’? In his case it means that he is ever with Krishna – whether awake or sleeping. He always comes to him. How was it said? “I have been searching for days, expecting you to come. When will you come so that you can serve Me?” You see, this is the quality that we are searching for. Not that you are searching after God, but He is searching after you. This is the upgrade! In the very first lectures you have learned: don’t live so that you see God, but live so that He will observe you. What does it mean? It is here: “I was waiting for you to come and serve Me.” Such an intimate connection!

So, if you want to learn what it means to be a good bhakta, this is the method. Madhavendra Puri was crying a little bit. You can imagine what a little crying means for such a person. Oceans of tears, torrents of rain! But then he composed himself, because he remembers: “Oh, I have to do something”. You see therefore sometimes your spiritual master will say: “Oh, stop this romantic affair. Let’s do something, be more realistic. Tea break is over, go back to work.” This will bring you peace. If you focus on your service, it will bring you peace. No more crying. Only sometimes.

(to be continued)