Enthusiastic For Darshana

“That mighty one, anxious to see you, is seated on the ashrama like to Indra on the summit of Mount Meru.” (Hanuman speaking to Sita Devi, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 37.23)

tvat darśana kṛta utsāham āśramastham mahābalam |
puraṃdaram iva āsīnam nāga rājasya mūrdhani ||

Break away from the daily grind. A change of pace. Something new. Something different. Why not take a trip? Visit an exotic destination. Tour a famous landmark. Soak in the beauty of this creation, found in something as basic as the tree and as complex as the expansive mountain range.

Something is considered attractive precisely because it attracts. Different tourist destinations bring in people from around the world. There is interest due to the attractiveness. It would make sense, then, that a person would want to have a meeting with the Almighty. This is known as darshana, or a vision. He is supposed to be the most attractive person. Hence one name for Him is Krishna. There are many other names, which describe different features, accomplishments, and interests.

It is understandable for the spiritual seeker to be desperate for such a vision. There is enthusiasm, utsaha, to make the meeting a reality. Seeing is believing, is it not? There will be attractiveness for sure, but also confirmation that a supreme person does indeed exist.

Another option to consider is altering behavior to the point that Krishna takes notice. Be more eager to have God see you instead of wanting to meet Him. The meeting is only the beginning. With Shri Hanuman, there was darshana in the Kishkindha forest, but life did not end there. A magical touch to the forehead did not take place that vanquished all troubles. Rather, Hanuman took up service from that day forth.

In the above referenced verse from the Ramayana the same Hanuman is describing how Sita will see Rama. She is the Supreme Lord’s husband. She is also known as the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi Devi. Hanuman proposed to take her on his back and return her to Rama.

He is staying in an ashrama on a mountain. The comparison is made to Indra, the king of heaven, sitting atop Mount Meru. Rama is the king of kings, so the comparison is appropriate. Rama will be enthusiastic for the meeting with His wife, who was taken away from Him in secret, through trickery and deceit by the king of Lanka, Ravana.

The idea is that for the devotees the Supreme Lord is just as enthusiastic to meet them. He is attracted by their devotion to Him, and with Sita the devotion is at the highest level. Those who chant the holy names are not only guaranteed to one day have the face to face meeting with Krishna, but they will surely catch His interest, as well.

He already sees everything through His expansion of Supersoul. With the exercise of devotion, there is a break from the position in neutrality. The Supersoul comes to life, so to speak. It becomes visible to the eyes, though He was there the entire time. The Supreme Lord takes great pleasure in sitting in on the chanting of His names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Vacation from beauty attracted,

To appreciate without work distracted.

Reason for seeing God the same,

For strong enthusiasm not to blame.

Secret that Lord Himself also to see,

When situated in devotion to be.

Like Sita-Rama deeds of Hanuman observing,

Who of highest stature deserving.