Page 26 - Lekha-mala (English)
P. 26

16                                               Lekha-mālā

          Further Thoughts
          Happiness,  along with  indestructibility  and knowledge,
          is an intrinsic characteristic of the jiva (sac-cid-ananda).
          The existence of the jiva is as a limited part and parcel of
          the Supreme; thus he shares with the Supreme (Krsna) the
          qualities of sac-cid-ananda. The jiva’s ability to exist, control,
          know, enjoy, and so on, is limited, whereas that of the Supreme
          is unlimited. For instance, Krsna exists in all times and places,
          whereas the jiva generally only exists at one time in one place.
          And as the Supreme Enjoyer, Krsna enjoys all the facilities
          of all times and all places; everything, including the jivas,
          exists for His enjoyment. However it is possible that Krsna’s
          parts and parcels, especially His closest associates, experience
          happiness equal to or even greater than that of the Lord. And
          even ordinary jivas can experience happiness commensurate
          to that of the Lord’s. Were it not so then His enjoyment of
          pastimes would be imbalanced by His being disproportionately
          happier than the devotees accompanying Him.

          Even in pure devotional service it is accepted that a devotee
          desires happiness. However in pure devotional service all
          desires are dovetailed with those of the Lord. A devotee desires
          to be happy by seeing the Lord happy, and is not shy to express
          or experience such happiness. But if such happiness becomes
          an obstruction to the Lord’s happiness, then the devotee is
          prepared to give up his own happiness. This is exemplified by
          Daruka, a servant of Krsna who used to fan Krsna. When he
          was engaged in such service, he was filled with ecstatic love,
          but Daruka did not relish his ecstatic feelings of love, for they
          caused his limbs to become stunned and thus obstructed his
          service of fanning Lord Krsna. Daruka was so serious about
          his service that he checked these manifestations of ecstatic
          love and considered them hindrances to his engagement. Such
          selflessness is further exemplified by Srimati Radharani, who
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