The Lover's Life - 10a

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Shloka 7 - 'Viveka dhairya ashraya niroopanam' by

Sri Vallabhaacharya:<br><br>"pratIkAro yadRcchAtaH

siddhazcennA grahI bhavat <br>bhAryAdInAM tathAnyeSAm

satazcAkramaM sahet" (7) <br><br>When there is alleviation,

<br>when things work out <br>because of His wish- <br>do

not resist <br>the accomplishment. <br><br>Also

endure false attacks from your <br>spouse, family

members <br>and other people. <br><br>Reflections:

<br><br>When there is a solution and the Beloved removes

suffering, the lover is not be overly righteous nor

obstinate to those changes. The lover is also not stubborn

about leaving the home in her quest for the Beloved.

She sees all as the Beloved's lilas, and thus, all

events in her life are endured. In every situation, Hari

is the refuge. <br><br>If the lover's worldly

partner is indifferent to the Beloved, let it be.

Compassion for all the lover's associates is never forsaken.

The lover wishes all to enjoy the victory, yet if

there is no divine inclination, to be inflexible or

overly righteous in any situation is never resorted to.

In struggle with anyone, animosity becomes the

bhakta's poison and always delays the ultimate festival.

<br><br>When the festival is delayed or worse, forgotten, when

the senses focus on other things and don't remember

Hari, these diversions obstruct the flow of nectar

throughout the senses and being. When the attention turns

towards the Beloved, then the senses can be devotionally

employed in the romance. She can make Him garlands, sandal

paste and other treats. These offerings are then taken

as prasada, as His grace. What is pure, delightful

and offered, consecrates within and without and

adorns the lover with virtues and ornaments that the

Beloved keeps His eye on. <br><br>It deepens as the lover

becomes absorbed into the dharma and drama of the

Beloved. Then, things do not necessarily have to be

renounced, they simply are given up, offered, and then

enjoyed again. The Beloved returns the offerings. In the

Beloved's pleasure, divine enjoyment for all participants

is one of the blessed rewards. <br><br>The divine

pain and its deliverance are seen as either Hari's

examination or events rising because of past karmas. When the

divine body is entered and used to traverse and serve in

the Beloved's realms of lila pleasure, then there are

no more delays. It is the bhakta's greatest asset

and used for the Beloved's pleasure. By just

understanding that the cause and supplier of all things is the

Beloved, everything is offered back and never employed for

any self gain. This is liberation.

<br><br>(continued..)