Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2020 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

“For one who is self-realised, any and every wave is welcome, for he is able to read the deeper meaning. Rite ‘rtham yat pratiyeta, na pratiyeta chatmani/ tad vidyad atmano mayam, yathabhaso yatha tamah[1]– Shrimad Bhagavatam asks, “What is the conception of maya?” Rite ‘rtham — what seems to us to be the right reading of the environment, is actually not so. The meaning and purpose of every incident is known to Krishna. Many events are harmonized together and all these are for the purpose of serving Him. But when there is localized interest there is a clash. Imperial and universal interests clash with provincial and local interests. He alone can know why each and every straw is moving to this side or that side. He is the only knower of everything.”[2]
In the Gita, while discussing with Arjuna, Krishna says “You don’t remember your previous births, but I do remember everything that has happened and everything that will come.”[3]| So our knowledge is limited. Even during one lifetime, it is very much limited. What to speak of previous lifetimes – we are very limited. But Krishna is not limited. So what is our way to improve our level of knowledge? To learn more, to study more books? Or to invite Krishna to accept the throne of our heart? To make Him our intellect.
Wow, such a progressive idea! No really! Because we don’t know, but He knows. If we are close to Him, we will also know everything. Many times I’ve told you that the servant of the king lives in the same palace. The minister doesn’t live in that palace, he has his own palace. But he is not living with the king. Yet the servant is living with the king. So what do you want to be? A minister? Or a simple servant? Think of that. If you are close to the source, then the source can embrace you, the source can substitute what you don’t have. It’s a very important point. Whatever you don’t have, Krishna can supply. And actually, He likes these shortcomings and this absence of certain capacities, because then He can exercise His unlimited mercy. If you see somebody in a fallen condition, automatically you want to extend your help – it’s natural. Energy is flowing towards the absence – naturally, this is the way. Therefore we take the advice of Shridhara Maharaj, who says: “Show your shortcomings, show your negativity towards the Positive, in order to invite more energy, more attention.” Because Krishna knows everything.
“Only He knows what purpose is served by the grass bending in the wind to this side, and not to that side. All these movements taken together in harmony, go to Him. Yet He is not responsible to anything or anyone. The universal meaning of every event and incident, even the movement of a piece of straw, is all-purposeful and all-meaningful to the Absolute. It all contributes to the absolute satisfaction of Krishna.” 
To observe and to direct everything – it’s a complicated job. But our Krishna has so many other jobs than to take care of these universal affairs. For example, He needs to train Himself in playing the flute. Or to run and play hide-and-seek with the gopas. Or to shout into the wells to listen to the echo. Or to dance in ecstasy under the moonlight. He is too busy to pay attention to these universal affairs. So, He delegates the power to others.
If you feel that you are too busy… Do you have this feeling: ‘I have to take care of all the little and greater things around me.’? If you feel like that, then delegate the powers. I didn’t say delegate the duties, not only; but delegate the powers as well. So, if you give the freedom to someone, ‘You decide as you like’, and then you start to complain about his decision, this is not nice. If you tell someone: “You can paint the wall the color you like” and he or she may decide on a yellow color. And then you come and say, ‘Why yellow?’ So, if you have given the right to decide, then don’t complain about the decision.
And where did we start? Man proposes, God disposes. So, if you give the right to Krishna to decide over your life: “My dear Lord, you can paint my life the color You like.” He will paint your life yellow. And then you say “But why yellow?” If you propose full dedication, “I give my life to You” and then He accepts, He takes your life – then don’t complain. This is the secret of spiritual freedom: give yourself, and then you will live very close to the king.

(to be continued)

1. Shrimad Bhagavatam 2.9.34
2. Reading from the chapter “Hearing to see”, Centenary Anthology of Shridhara Maharaj
3. Bhagavad Gita 4.5