Sharanagati

“In this way, when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw Jagannātha, He saw that the Lord was with His sister Subhadrā and was not holding a flute in His hand. Absorbed in the ecstasy of the gopīs, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu wished to see Lord Jagannātha in His original form as Krishna the son of Nanda Mahārāja, standing in Vrindavana and appearing very beautiful, His body curved in three places. His desire to see that form was always increasing. Just as Śrīmatī Rādhārāni talked inconsistently with a bumblebee in the presence of Uddhava, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His ecstasy talked crazily and inconsistently day and night.”[1]

So, if Mahaprabhu’s desire to seeKrishnawas present, that means He was in the mood of Radha. Because if He would be in the ecstasy ofKrishna, then He would search after Radha. Whom are you searching for – Radha orKrishna? Manjari?

Manjari: Both.

Tirtha Maharaj: Clever answer! Damodar?

Damodar: Her.

Dragi: Her.

Tirtha Maharaj: Searching for Her grace?! Good! Devanath?

Devanath: Him.

Kripadham: Him.

Krishna Priya:Krishna.

Ivan: AlsoKrishna.

Paramananda: Radha.

Manohari: Radha.

Tirtha Maharaj: That means you have a multiplicity of rasa. Some are searching forKrishna, others are searching for Radha. Everyone is searching for purity. Others are searching for love. Still others are searching for prestige. And others search for both, Radhe-Shyam.

What does it mean – if we are searching either for Radha, orKrishna, or both, what does it mean? If you are searching forKrishna, it does not mean that you have the quality of Radha. And if you are searching for Radha, it does not mean that you have the qualities ofKrishna. Right, we are not in the position of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Nevertheless it shows that we all have the quality of the energy searching for the source. In that sense we all try to serveKrishna’s and Radha’s happiness. This is our safe and constitutional position. This is the safe side – always consider yourself a searcher.