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EDITORIAL August 18, 1999 VNN4527 Comment on this story Anomalies In The Age Of Iron BY ASAUMAUDHRA DASA EDITORIAL, Aug 18 (VNN) — It is consistent with the times to fall prey to the philosophy of atheism, after all it is a godless time, Kali. To deny God (or God's rep) or to deny access to Him (or His rep) is quite befitting for those who lack any degree of faith or conviction in the Supreme. God is Krishna, we heartily agree upon and yet to deny His ability to manifest or to deny one access is certainly a wonder when one finds such a trait in the person of one who identifies with religious tenets. But, then again this is still not inconsistent with the times, since indubitably this is the age of hypocrisy, is it not? One should expect that those from whom we would expect the most, do the least or those whom we would expect the least, actually end up doing the most. Can God manifest Himself. Well, yes at certain stipulated times we know. But what of His human manifestation? Oh, he does not manifest as a human in the flesh? Don't tell that to the Christians! Of course, He does. "guru-krishna-roopa hana shaastrera pramaane, guru-roope krishna kripa karena bhakta-gane"(CC Adi 1.45) But the shastra does not let us know like the avatar when such a manifestation is to appear or where. We really have the entire responsibility of finding out the who, what, where and when in this regard, although, for a fact, it is Krishna who acts on our prompting to deliver such a person. If there is no such prompting, will He deliver? The answer is a flat, no. Here is where the trouble lies. Without a desire in the heart for a deliverer, there may be such a deliverer, be we will not see him, or such a deliverer will not appear to us. Now, can one who is cloaked in holy vestments and immersed in the workings and even propagation of religious teachings also be denied access to such a deliverer. Certainly, if in that persons mind there is no such necessity. One may feel quite confident that he has all the mercy he needs to reach the goal and no other person is required to accentuate that very process which he had been given previously. Though if we look closely, however, we can find that that initial impetus and inspiration was really only a brief span of time. Memories may be there and certain outward manifestations; like publications, buildings, associates, etc. and yet by doctrinal evidence until one at least progresses to a stage of deep attachment or ashakti, there needs be more of the same inspiring association that caused the person to surrender himself. If not, if there is a pause in such direct contact with the Lord in His human manifestation as guru (sakshad Haritven) then we can expect many wonderful (in the comic and tragic sense only) consequences. The touch of grace really comes through the person of the guru. He is Krishna Himself."shikshaa-guruke ta' jani krishnera svaroopa"(CcCh 1.47) No not svayam bhagavan!, but still Krishna. Oh, you know what I mean! Anyway, let us continue, O.K.? Now, if the persons who have had that glimpse of Divinity in the past, can they deny it for others? Sure, they can. And if they do so are they not condemned? Sure, they are. Why would they deny? Well, pride, perhaps. They are the select few, no doubt. But if one feels he has achieved grace, can that also not lead to grace being removed if that very person becomes proud of his little token from history. Yes, indeed. Should not grace be something we need to live with and have all of the time? Mercy, just flowing like a river outside our very door? Yes. That is God-consciousness! But, no the ecclesiastics and duties overtake us on the road of devotion or quasi-devotion. We have such big, big names and big, big duties, and bigger responsibilities at hand. No time at all to pray for the thing we need most. Besides, everything has shape, form and function and we are part of it. The problem is here, is it not?The mercy has slowed down. The internal prayer for more grace has stopped. We think since we had it we are O.K.. Now, what will happen. Well, others will want to get a taste of that mercy from history. So, they can come to such persons and here about it or they can apply the very process and beg and cry for it like had been done by their tutors originally. Then they will get it also, no doubt, because God, Krishna listens . He is controlled by devotion. "aham bhakta-paraadhino hy asvatantra iva dvija"(Bh 9.4.63) Now, what if such desiring souls have their prayer mainifested to them. God answers their prayer. Can there be a conflict with the tutors who are immersed in reciting their own history and legacy. Yes. There can be a conflict of interest, because the one may be living in the past and the other in the present. A conflict of time. Unless of course, the men who had contact with the mercy of God are able to taste it again . But, that will perhaps only happen if they want it. The drug addict is condemned for always looking for the ways and means to get a hit. And the God addict is always crying for and begging for some little bit a mercy in the form of association. Sanga! Got to have it! Why did all the great devotees want to commit suicide without it? Becasue it was absolutely necessary. Beat my head against the stone, if I do not get it. Oooh! My! Sanatana, Raghunatha dasa, Narottama das. Were they really ready to die for sanga? Yes. And you and I ? Are we content? Is not contentment the enemy of the bhakta? I think so, yes. Can contentment degenarate even more ? If we become more and more content, then? This feeling of happiness is not what we want. We want to be happy but not on that platform. We want the devotional happiness that comes from grace and mercy. And for that we have to ache and pain. Separation happens. And then what do we do. We ask Krishna for more. He wants more of our devotion.He is greedy. So, what about us? Are we not greedy for His association, which He will definitely grant us. But the desire must be there. Otherwise, blindness developes. Those who had the mercy and cannot see it manifesting again can deny it to others, or ridicule and blaspheme those who say it has again taken place. Perhaps in a different way, and undeniably the same live presence of God in the flesh as sadhu. Bhakti is a current. The moment it stops it stagnates and becomes subject to polution. So, what to do. The old guard and and new revolutionaries. It happens materially, and it is happening spiritually. Will the revolutionaries win? Or will the old guard, who controls the present manifestations of previous devotional energy win. Which side are you on? Can the old guard ever understand the new revolutionaries or will they simply turn their heads and look the other way. Come gurus, and sannyasis please heed the call. Your old world is rapidly aging. Get out of the new world if you can't lend a hand. Times are changing. If you are on the level of rati or even ashakti then you have finally put your soul into automatic drive. We need your assoication. But, if you are not on that level, and if you think you can keep us in your fold for ever and ever, then think twice. Why Sarvabuma Bhattacharya could not see what was before him when Gopinath Accharya could? Mercy, plain and simple mercy. Some get it and others don't. It is the law. But people can change and that is what is needed here. Change. Change for the good. If it happens then all is well. If not, then the revolutionaries carry the new spirit with them elsewhere. Oh, for a little bit of grace! Asaumaudhra dasa Comment on this story  Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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