Friend of the Fallen
By Śrīla B.R. Śrīdhara Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāja, excerpted from The Golden Volcano of Divine Love.
Although it is the duty of justice to seek qualifications, mercy has no such limits. Divine mercy does not care for any qualifications, but is always ready to compensate the weak and unfit. Only one thing is required: our sincere eagerness to receive mercy. In Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 8.70) it is said:
kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasa-bhāvitā matiḥ
krīyatāṁ yadi kuto ’pi labhyate
tatra laulyam api mūlyam ekalaṁ
janma-koṭi-sukṛtair na labhyate
Pure devotional service to Kṛṣṇa cannot be obtained by performing pious activities even for millions of births. It can be purchased only by paying one price: intense eagerness. Wherever it is available, one must purchase it immediately.
No qualifications from one’s previous life will help one to attain Kṛṣṇa consciousness; only eagerness and faith are important.
And what is the effect of Kṛṣṇa consciousness?
bhidyate hṛdaya-granthiś
chidyante sarva-saṁśayāḥ
kṣīyante cāsya karmāṇi
mayi dṛṣṭe ’khilātmani1
Our inner aspiration for rasa, ecstasy, is buried in the heart and the heart is tied down and sealed. But hearing and chanting the glories of Kṛṣṇa breaks the seal of the heart, and the heart awakens and opens to receive Kṛṣṇa: the reservoir of pleasure, ecstasy himself (raso vai saḥ, akhila-rasāmṛta-mūrti).2
Our heart’s concern is with ecstasy, charm, and sweetness. And this is felt by the heart, not by the brain, so the heart has been given the most importance. The next effect is felt in the plane of knowledge. After getting a taste of divine sweetness, suspicion vanishes (rasa-varjaṁ raso ’py asya paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate).3 When we have a taste of real ecstasy (rasa), then all doubts are cleared. By getting a taste of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the heart is captured and when the heart is captured, the ecstasy of love of Godhead, prema, begins to flow. Being satisfied, the heart will say, “This is what I was searching for!” Then, the brain will follow, thinking, “Yes, there can be no doubt, this is the highest goal of our search. Dissolve everything else.” The heart will say, “I have attained prema, divine love—this is the highest thing! Stop all works from now on.” Then, karma will close all its workshops. After coming in touch with Kṛṣṇa
consciousness, the first result is that the heart awakens. When the heart is captured, the brain approves, and our karma, energizing in the wrong direction, stops. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the real wealth of the heart.
It is the nature of divine mercy to extend itself without caring for any law. The only consideration is our eagerness to accept it. Mercy is offered in this way: “Do you want this?” If we simply agree, “Yes, it is wonderful and most tasteful,” then we can have it. If our prayer is genuine, then nothing else is required. It is a simple transaction. If we want it, we will get it. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is most simple. Whether one is fit or unfit is unimportant. Anyone who simply wants it may have it.
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