Journey to the Center
By Śrīla B.R. Śrīdhara Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāja, excerpted from Heart and Halo.
Generally, if all our activity is stopped by unfavorable weather, we think “This is very
bad!” We are men of action, men who exploit the environment and nature for gathering
some energy. We are always trying to collect some energy for our use. That is our nature.
The very nature of those who live in this mortal world is to collect more and more energy
and wealth that can be utilized in a time of need. If there is any hindrance to that end we
think it is a very bad circumstance, in opposition to the object of our life. But to remind
us about the importance of our inner wealth, we are advised that the outer nature cannot
do us so much harm as can our internal nature, that is, our apathy to collect more wealth
for the inner existence, the inner self. Be mindful of that!
Losing things of this mortal world is not bad; it is all coming and going. The body
itself, the center of all this activity, will also vanish. Then what is the necessity of
collecting so much energy for the bodily connection? So, awaken your soul, the real
person within; search him out and try to help him. That is possible only with help from
the sadhu.
The day in which we do not find any saint, or have any discussion about the real
purpose of life, the inner life, the inner substance, that day we are the loser. Be conscious
of that. In all respects, in any way possible, mind your own lesson, mind your own
interest, find your own self. Be unmindful towards the external world and circumstances
and dive deep into the reality, the inner world. Find your inner self and the inner world
where you live, where your inner self is living. Try to find your home, to go back to God,
back to home. Your energy must be utilized for going home, and not for wandering in
the other land, the land of death. Try to avoid the land of death at any cost; always try to
find the eternal soil, that soil to which you belong. Try to understand what is your home
and why it is your home. Home comfort: what does it mean? It means our birthplace –
the place where we are born.
In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.25 we find this verse:
satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani
śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati
In the association of pure devotees, discussions about me are very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. Such talks, which are full of spiritual potency, are a source of sweetness, and by such cultivation the path of liberation from worldly life quickly opens. Then gradually one attains firm faith, which in due course develops into taste, and then real love for me.
This was spoken by the incarnation of the Lord, Śrī Kapiladeva, to his mother, Devahūti, in response to her inquiry as to what is the real goal of life and how to attain it. It came about in this way. Devahūti was married to the sage, Kardama-ṛṣi. After passing some years in the enjoyment of married life, Devahūti conceived a child in her womb from the ṛṣi. In Bhagavad-gītā (10.28) the Lord says: prajanaś cāsmi kandarpaḥ, “Of Cupids, I am he who ensures progeny.” And elsewhere it is said, prajanaya na rataye, married life is not meant for enjoyment, but for the purpose of producing good progeny. So, when the objective of their marriage was achieved, the ṛṣi proposed that he retire from married life. He told Devahūti:
You have a child in your womb and it is not an ordinary child; the Lord Himself is coming. So I am going to live alone for my own higher purpose of life.
Then Devahūti said:
I have such a good partner; I am fortunate to have a saint like you as my husband, but I did not take advantage of your noble personality to learn anything about brahma, about the Lord, about my inner life’s necessity and its fulfilment. I did not inquire about that. I was only busy to serve you, to satisfy your desires. Though I had such a noble companion, I did not utilize my fortunate. Now I pray that you may stay for some time and teach me, help me in spiritual life, and then you may go.”
Kardama-ṛṣi said:
You will get help from your son. It is the Lord himself who is coming, not an ordinary child. Remember this, and in time you will receive that spiritual help from him. So I won’t stay; I shall go now.”
He departed, but soon the child appeared and he was brought up by Devahūti. Because of her great motherly affection, however, as her son grew, she gradually forgot what her husband had revealed: That he was not an ordinary child. In the course of time, when the boy had grown and was one day absorbed, Devahūti was reminded, “Oh, the mood of my child does not seem to be ordinary.” She could understand that He was engaged in deep thought, and considered:
His father foretold that the Lord would appear through me, and now I see it is true. My son’s mood does not seem to be worldly, but it is from above. his mind is absorbed in transcendental thought.
She then slowly approached him: “Child, your father told me that You are not an ordinary boy of this world. You are divine. I wanted some spiritual advice from him, but he told me that you would advise me. For so long I did not heed that, but today your mood is encouraging me; it is reminding me of those words of your father and encouraging me to approach you for spiritual advice. Be pleased to advise me about what is spiritual truth. Who am I? What is this world? How can I find the proper direction of life? Who is the owner of this world, and what is my duty towards Him? You are not an ordinary boy, so I want to know all these things from You, my child.” Then from the lips of her son came this verse, given in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.25):
satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani
śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati
In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.
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