March 21, 1967 : San Francisco
Hayagriva: Swamiji has been discussing Srimad-Bhagavatam. His lecture ends, and he asks for questions. Govinda Dasi timidly raises her hand, and Swamiji acknowledges her. "Can you explain about Lord Chaitanya asking the whereabouts of Krishna in the forest? Or would that not be a good thing to discuss?"
"Yes, Yes," Swamiji says happily, "Very nice. Your question is very nice. I'm very glad. Lord Chaitanya was the greatest devotee of Krishna, and we should think about His life. He never said, 'I have seen Krishna,' but He was mad after Krishna … He was always thinking, 'When shall I see Krishna? Where is Krishna? Where is Krishna?' He was so mad after Krishna. And that is the main point of Chaitanya philosophy. This is called worship in separation … Lord Chaitanya's direct disciples, the Goswamis, Rupa and Sanatana Goswami, also worshipped Krishna in that feeling of separation. Later on, when the Goswamis were very mature in devotional service, they were daily going about Vrindavana, just like madmen, crying, 'Krishna, where You are?'..."
After this, Swamiji says no more but sits cross-legged on the dais, hands folded, eyes closed in sudden, unexpected, rapt meditation. It's as though he's been struck by a bolt from the blue. As we sit watching him, we all suddenly feel an electric, vibrant stillness settling over the temple. This is something very unusual, we all sense, yet dare not speak, dare not look at one another, dare not take our eyes from him. Perceivable spiritual phenomenon! We can actually see him withdraw deep within himself and leave the body, the temple, the city, the world far behind, so deep is his communion. We bathe in this intense silence for only three or four minutes, but, those minutes seem eternal for us all. We see his consciousness return to his body. He clears his throat, slowly opens his eyes, and reaches for the cymbals beside him. "Let us have kirtana," he says quietly, and begins chanting "Govinda Jai Jai."
Afterwards, Subal runs up to me, his blue eyes popping. "Did you see that? Did you see it?" We all begin speculating on what had happened. We call it "the samadhi lecture." It's the subject of whispered conversation for days.
"Yes, Yes," Swamiji says happily, "Very nice. Your question is very nice. I'm very glad. Lord Chaitanya was the greatest devotee of Krishna, and we should think about His life. He never said, 'I have seen Krishna,' but He was mad after Krishna … He was always thinking, 'When shall I see Krishna? Where is Krishna? Where is Krishna?' He was so mad after Krishna. And that is the main point of Chaitanya philosophy. This is called worship in separation … Lord Chaitanya's direct disciples, the Goswamis, Rupa and Sanatana Goswami, also worshipped Krishna in that feeling of separation. Later on, when the Goswamis were very mature in devotional service, they were daily going about Vrindavana, just like madmen, crying, 'Krishna, where You are?'..."
After this, Swamiji says no more but sits cross-legged on the dais, hands folded, eyes closed in sudden, unexpected, rapt meditation. It's as though he's been struck by a bolt from the blue. As we sit watching him, we all suddenly feel an electric, vibrant stillness settling over the temple. This is something very unusual, we all sense, yet dare not speak, dare not look at one another, dare not take our eyes from him. Perceivable spiritual phenomenon! We can actually see him withdraw deep within himself and leave the body, the temple, the city, the world far behind, so deep is his communion. We bathe in this intense silence for only three or four minutes, but, those minutes seem eternal for us all. We see his consciousness return to his body. He clears his throat, slowly opens his eyes, and reaches for the cymbals beside him. "Let us have kirtana," he says quietly, and begins chanting "Govinda Jai Jai."
Afterwards, Subal runs up to me, his blue eyes popping. "Did you see that? Did you see it?" We all begin speculating on what had happened. We call it "the samadhi lecture." It's the subject of whispered conversation for days.
Reference: The Hare Krishna Explosion - Hayagriva Dasa
Recently Added
Trending Today