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