7 June 2026
Sunday
The mere presence of the light is not enough. We should seek to go forward with the help of that illumination. If, having this light, we do not follow the path revealed by it, we are as unseeing as the blind. Once, Lord Krishna appeared before Surdas, the blind saint, and told him, “Surdas, if you are keen to see the world, I shall restore your sight to you at this very moment.” The great devotee that he was, Surdas replied: “Those who are endowed with eyes are really blind when they do not gaze upon Your auspicious, beautiful form. Having ears, they are nevertheless deaf when they do not choose to listen to the music of Your melodious song. Having in their hands the power to attain the Divine, they drown themselves in the ocean of Samsara (worldly life). Although you dwell in their hearts, they are deluded by the false, meretricious, and transient attraction of the world. Though they have large eyes, they are not able to see You. Hence, I have no need for such hearts, such eyes, or such ears. Give me, O Lord, ears that will listen to Your song, eyes that will see Your beautiful form, and a heart in which You are installed,” pleaded Surdas.
From Swami’s discourse of 14 July 1984
The mere presence of the light is not enough. We should seek to go forward with the help of that illumination. If, having this light, we do not follow the path revealed by it, we are as unseeing as the blind. Once, Lord Krishna appeared before Surdas, the blind saint, and told him, “Surdas, if you are keen to see the world, I shall restore your sight to you at this very moment.” The great devotee that he was, Surdas replied: “Those who are endowed with eyes are really blind when they do not gaze upon Your auspicious, beautiful form. Having ears, they are nevertheless deaf when they do not choose to listen to the music of Your melodious song. Having in their hands the power to attain the Divine, they drown themselves in the ocean of Samsara (worldly life). Although you dwell in their hearts, they are deluded by the false, meretricious, and transient attraction of the world. Though they have large eyes, they are not able to see You. Hence, I have no need for such hearts, such eyes, or such ears. Give me, O Lord, ears that will listen to Your song, eyes that will see Your beautiful form, and a heart in which You are installed,” pleaded Surdas.