Read or Relish?

Sometimes we read so we can capture something exciting and inspirational to share with others. Sometimes we read to gain clarity and conviction, to displace doubts and deeply understand the path we walk. Sometimes we read with the hope of developing deep spiritual attraction, praying that the beautiful descriptions will flood our mind and capture our heart. Sometimes we read with the confidence that it will cleanse our consciousness, even when we don’t fully understand and can’t fully concentrate. All valid reasons, and all beneficial, but all still falling short of the heart connection we seek. Our reading could go deeper.

I once asked a saintly devotee how we should read. He looked somewhat surprised – “I don’t read these books,” he said, “I relish these books!” What an answer! It was another dimension, another relationship, another level of realisation. When he read, he was associating with God in the form of a book. There was no agenda. Transcending the mind and intellect and entering a world of unlimited spiritual possibility. I recalled how one saintly person’s manuscript of Srimad-Bhagavatam was blotted, smudged, and rendered practically unreadable due to the tears of love which were shed during his reading. We can only pray that we receive that special connection one day. Indeed, our cherished aspiration is to gain a glimpse of Sanatana Goswami’s vision, who saw the Srimad-Bhagavatam as his only friend, his constant companion, his source of happiness and his greatest wealth.

Such realisations may seem very distant. Nevertheless, we humbly approach Srimad-Bhagavatam to gather some jewels; searching, begging, praying for the invaluable insights that will drive us forward in spiritual life. A disciple once approached his teacher with a request: “Master, I heard you’ve gathered many jewels from the scriptures – can I acquire some of them?” The master paused, reflected and finally replied: “If I sell you those jewels you won’t be able to afford them, and if I give you them for free you won’t appreciate them.” The disciple was disheartened. “There is no alternative,” the master suddenly said, “you’ll have to dive into these oceanic scriptures, navigate yourself to the depths, and find those priceless jewels for yourself.” The disciple understood. No shortcuts, cheap bargains or quick gains. If you want jewels, you have to put in the effort.