Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.01.2019 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

The discussion between Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya continues, please join with your answers. So far the questions were charming and positive. But now: “What is the greatest pain?”

Krishnapriya: To be separated from God. 

Lilavatar: To be separated from the devotees. 

Swami Tirtha: Did you read the Chaitanya Charitamrita? 

Lilavatar: No.

Swami Tirtha: Then maybe you had been there in this discussion. Because actually this is the answer: “To be separated from the devotees is the greatest pain”. Because from Krishna we are somehow separated anyway, isn’t it so? Alright, He is sitting in your hearts, but nevertheless some separation is there. But we can associate with the devotees and if you are bereft of that divine connection, it is very painful. Therefore it is said: it is better to tolerate the pain of being jailed or being burned by fire, than to tolerate the pain of separation from the devotees. And of course we should always try to associate with higher devotees. If there is no chance for that, then we should associate with the same level devotees. If you have no chance for that, you should associate with neophyte devotees. If you don’t have the chance for that, then you have to associate with the shastras – this is your sadhu-sangha. And if you don’t have a chance for associating with the holy scriptures, then you have to associate with your mind. This should be your sadhu-sangha. 

“Who is the best liberated person?” – comes the next question. 

Paramananda: He who preaches.

Swami Tirtha: Without practicing? Anyway, “The best liberated person is the one who loves Krishna”. Because that proves that devotion is beyond liberation. 

And one more question. “What is the best devotional song?” 

Answer: Hare Krishna!

Swami Tirtha: Actually, that’s true, it’s the mahamantra. Because the answer from Ramananda Raya was that “The best religious song is that which describes the divine love between Radha and Krishna.” Right. 

So, from this we can understand our priorities among values. What are our priorities in life in general and in life spiritual? If you really want to be famous, then be a famous devotee. If you really want to be wealthy, then cherish the divine love principle. If you want to be the best singer, then sing the best songs. These are our ambitions. This is our value structure. So, please follow and cultivate it.

Although the devotees in Nanda Falva, my godbrothers and godsisters, were very well-mannered and very well-educated, and of course they didn’t want to become famous, so to say, once I had the opportunity to meet devotees on the other end of the world. Gurudev was visiting them from time to time. And when I also met them, they inquired: “Who are you, where are you coming from?” And when I said, “Well, I come from Hungary and I am a disciple of Gurudev”, then they said, “Ah, Hungarian devotees! Ah, we have heard a lot about them!” And they started a quote of their names. Fifteen thousand miles, never ever seen them, quoting by the name and by the service. From that I could understand that if you are a small little humble servant of Radha-Govinda or Radha-Gopivallabha, you are world famous. So, Ramananda Raya was correct. If you want to be famous, be a nice devotee. 

(to be continued)