OK just finished my dinner, and while I was eating I was watching the live webcast of my Guruji's Radha Ashtami satsang (would've gone but its a school night 😔). And it was BEAUTIFUL (as his talks always are), so I'd like to share with you guys some of the main points. When they put up the vid of the whole thing, I'll give a more complete version and I'll even be able to translate the bhajan he wrote for the occasion. Until then, enjoy 😃
- Out of the 6 billion people in the world, barely 6 might be having a singular longing for God and only God.
-He told the following story to reinforce that point: There was once a king who lived in a mansion with 7 floors. One day, he made an announcement to his people, that he wants to give away all of his possessions. So, he would be opening up his house as a free-for-all, and whoever wanted whatever could come and take it. But, they could only do it in one turn, and without any help. So everyone, of course, stormed in by the hundreds and began to loot. They saw that the first floor was filled with rare shells, which at the time were quite valuable. About half of them were thrilled by them only, collected as many shells as they could, and went home happy. But the rest figured that it was worth waiting to see what was on the next floor, so they went upstairs. Here, there were copper coins which were even more valuable! Many people rejoiced at the sight of the coins, took as many as they could, and went home ecstatic. But again, some remained who speculated that greater treasures were to come so they proceeded to the next floor. There they found silver coins and many of them loaded up, rejoiced, and went home. A few continued to find gold coins on the next floor, even fewer moved to the next where there were precious pearls, and just a handful made it to the sixth floor where there were diamonds. At that point, all but one person had gone home satisfied. This one man remained out of a desire to see what treasures were waiting on the seventh and last floor. There sat the king, on his jewel-encrusted throne. When he saw this man he smiled benevolently and arose, saying "come, I've been waiting for you. This throne is yours." The man's eyes filled with tears; he fell at the king's feet and exclaimed, "I've beheld you, what more can I ask for!"
- My Guruji then explained that this one person represents Radha. She is Bhakti personified, she wants nothing but Krishna. Many people set out on the path of yoga, and the gifts they receive along the way are enough to make them stop in satisfaction (i.e. Ravan's type of meditation, and everyone else that was in it for a material boon). Very very few keep up their efforts to the point of the "throne", or liberation. But rare is the soul that doesn't even long for that! All (s)he wants is Krishna, it may mean taking birth in the mortal world and suffering the worst of sorrows, but none of that matters. "I've got you, what more can I ask for!" This is the cry of Radha's heart, this is what makes her Radha.
-Unfortunately I didn't have a pen in hand but in a day or two the vid will be up, so I can translate the beautiful bhajan he wrote from Radha's point of view for the occasion. I do, however, remember this one line which meant "I want neither gold, nor silver, nor any other treasure the world has to offer - I'd rather cry in longing for you day and night than have these possessions and forget you." What a tear-inducingly beautiful thought; reminded me of when Uddhav asks Radharani, "what kind of fool enjoys being in pain?" And she says - "uhhhhhh.... ME!!!! As long as it's for my beloved!" 😍
-The story of the king and his mansion also reminded me of the fruitseller's story, and the song that follows: "sab kuch deke pariksha leta, ki kaunsi or chale sansaari" - he gives you whatever you want, to find out if what you want is Him!!!
- One more SK connection - he told the story of Narad that we see in the show, he asks for nothing but devotion and the ability to resist maya so that his devotion remains constant.
Hope you guys enjoyed, Radhe Radhe
Edited by lola610 - 13 years ago
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