Chanting before starting our Bhāgavata sessions

The greatness of a Mahātmā is often experienced through their sannidhi.

During the period of a Mahātmā's upāsanā, a particular kalā may have been especially prominent. As their jñānam becomes firmly established, vedāntavijñānasuniścitārthāḥ, that very kalā may become profoundly manifest in their sannidhi.

In some Mahātmās' sannidhi, we experience extraordinary peace. There is a palpable śāntikalā. Simply being in their presence brings a deep sense of śānti.

In others, we experience tremendous joy. They may have been naturally cheerful, humorous, and full of laughter. Their hāsyakalā is so prominent that everyone around them becomes happy and joyful.

In some Mahātmās' sannidhi, we experience absolute fearlessness, abhayam. அவர்களுடைய சந்நிதியில் இருந்தாலே நமக்கு ரக்ஷணம். Their very presence gives us an extraordinary sense of protection and security. That is their abhayakalā.

In others, there is a remarkable jñānakalā. The moment we enter their sannidhi, śāstra-jñānam seems to radiate from them. Our own minds naturally turn towards the śāstra. What does Śrī Kṛṣṇa say? What does Bhagavatpāda say? What does Bhagavān Vyāsa say? We become immersed in that very contemplation.

And in some Mahātmās, there is an overwhelming premakalā. Their sannidhi is filled with vātsalyam, whether mātṛvātsalyam, pitṛvātsalyam, or guruvātsalyam. That bhāva, that prema, that bhakti, is so palpable that merely being in their presence can move us deeply.

All these are manifestations of particular kalās that were prominent during the Mahātmā's upāsanā-kāla. As their jñānam becomes dṛḍham and they become established in the knowledge of their true svarūpa, these kalās may continue to manifest through their respective upādhis, often with extraordinary intensity.

From the standpoint of jñānam, there is no difference between one jñānī and another. They are sarvopādhi-vinirmukta, free from all limiting adjuncts. Yet, at the level of the apparent upādhi, something of the fragrance of that earlier upāsanā remains.

And that fragrance is what often attracts people to a particular Mahātmā. Śiṣyas are drawn to their sannidhi through śānti, ānanda, abhaya, jñāna, or prema, according to the kalā that manifests so naturally there.

Initially, they receive the benefit of that kalā. Over time, through the Mahātmā's upadeśa, they receive the far greater blessing of the jñānam in which the Mahātmā is firmly established.

The kalā draws the śiṣya into the Mahātmā's sannidhi. The Mahātmā's jñānopadeśa ultimately leads the śiṣya towards the recognition of their own svarūpa.