The Practice of Surrender

What is Surrender?  

The dictionary meaning of surrender is to give up possession of or power to another or to give up control to another either voluntarily or involuntarily. However, this definition is limiting because it envisions relinquishing control to a source of power under conditions of distress. Let us review alternate explanations of the term.  

The concept of surrender has been described differently by professionals representing different fields of study. Some psychologists define surrender as letting go of the effort to exercise control over one’s life. It is to relinquish the desire for the outcome of choice to make space for creative solutions. The perspective suggests that surrendering is a mental act that occurs on one’s own terms. 

Some yogic traditions have described surrender as giving up the illusion that the self is separate from the source of life. Knowledge of the self allows one to go with the flow of what the higher power (i.e., God) wants. This perspective suggests that those who have attained self-knowledge, perceive the desires of the self as similar to those of God. 

Some Zen practitioners describe surrender as being fully aware of the present and accepting whatever happens instead of trying to change it. This may be easier said than done especially in an environment where most people are governed by schedules, routines, structure, and lofty goals to attain.

Some religious traditions have described surrender primarily as a strategy to cope in times of distress and grief. Within the Christian tradition, spiritual surrender has been described as a conscious choice to trust God when faced with challenges and uncertainties. Christian scriptures have characterized surrender as a loving and active inward yielding to God and His will. 

The Vedic perspective of surrender is rooted in the beautiful concept of seeking refuge in God/Guru (i.e., samarpan or sharnagati). It suggests that one willingly submits to the will of God/Guru with total dependence upon His grace. Surrender is a state of consciousness where the body, mind, intellect, and senses of knowledge and perception are submitted to God. The sharnagati is founded on deep faith and belief that God and Guru have only our best interest at heart and will guide us toward the goal in a way that they deem to be the best. There is no desire to rely upon one’s own knowledge, wealth, social status, strength, and ability to navigate difficulties in life. 

A commonly cited example is the situation in which Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, found herself. When Duryodhan ordered Dushasan to disrobe Draupadi in the court of the Kauravas in Hastinapur, she initially relied upon the valor of her husbands, but they relented. Then she sought the support of the elders like Bheeshma, Vidur, Dronacharya, etc., but they too resigned. Eventually, she relied upon her own strength. However, when protection did not appear likely from any source, she called out to Shree Krishna in a state of total helplessness, and the Supreme Lord instantly came to her rescue. 

This example illustrates that God protects souls who are completely surrendered to Him. It means that they are sadhan-heen or devoid of all means of support. Such an internal state is possible only when the ego is totally destroyed. Swamiji beautifully explains that to achieve this state of sadhan-heenta, we need to make all the effort through deliberate practice, while internally believing that all spiritual accomplishments are due to God’s grace alone. He adds that surrender to God entails being focused on doing our best in the present, without any negativities about the past, nor worries for the future.

It is critical to understand that “Surrender to God is not a one-time procedure. It is not that we surrender once, and we are done with it forever. We have to keep surrendering at every moment. In this process, there are innumerable obstacles – material energy, our past sanskars, and our ignorance. However, we must not feel disillusioned. Innumerable souls in the past have overcome these obstacles to perfect their surrender to God, and have attained Him; if we endeavor sincerely, we too will be successful” (Swami Mukundananda). 

Why Should We Surrender to God?

Surrender to God/Guru is fundamental for spiritual aspirants whose goal is to eternally serve God in His divine abode. Yet, we question the need to surrender because subconsciously we are programmed to exercise control over our environment. Even those who desire to surrender unintentionally resist because surrender demands destroying one’s ego, becoming humble, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Here are a few most compelling reasons why we should surrender our intellect to God/Guru. 

1. Receive the Divine Love Bliss of God. The only way to be bestowed with unlimited divine love bliss of God is through total surrender to God via the Guru. Only divine love bliss has the capacity to satiate the soul with the eternal happiness that it has been seeking since endless lifetimes. As Shree Krishna tells Arjun:   

तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत |
तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् || 62||

tam eva śharaṇaṁ gachchha sarva-bhāvena bhārata
tat-prasādāt parāṁ śhāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śhāśhvatam

Surrender exclusively unto Him with your whole being, O Bharat. By His grace, you will attain perfect peace and the eternal abode (BG 18.62).

2. Freedom from Maya. No one can conquer Maya based on their own effort. Only total surrender will result in divine grace that will break the bondage of Maya which has captured the soul since endless lifetimes. As Shree Krishna explains to Arjun:

दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया |
मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते || 14||

daivī hyeṣhā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā
mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te

My divine energy Maya, consisting of the three modes of nature, is very difficult to overcome. But those who surrender unto Me cross over it easily (BG 7.14).

3. To be Bound by the Law of Grace. Divine grace is contingent only upon a purified etheric heart that results from surrender to God. When the surrender is complete, God applies the Law of Grace upon the souls. Those who do not believe in God’s existence or are unable to surrender, are subject to God’s Law of Karma or justice for one’s actions and thoughts. For devotees who serve God/Guru with loving devotion, God reciprocates in accordance with the sentiments of the devotee. 

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् |
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्या: पार्थ सर्वश: || 11||

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāns tathaiva bhajāmyaham
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣhyāḥ pārtha sarvaśhaḥ

In whatever way people surrender unto Me, I reciprocate accordingly. Everyone follows My path, knowingly or unknowingly, O son of Pritha (BG 4.11).

 

4. To Become Fearless. The conviction that God protects surrendered souls, should increase our desire to surrender our intellect to God/Guru. Other than Draupadi and the Pandavas, many other surrendered souls whom God protected include but are not limited to Prahlad, Dhruv, Vibhishan, Ratnakar, Gajraj, all the Brajwasis, etc. God and Guru take responsibility for surrendered souls.
5. Freedom from Debts of Material Dharma. Human beings are bound by material and spiritual dharma. We feel concerned about fulfilling our material dharma or obligations because we identify with our body, not the soul. Swamiji beautifully explains that souls who are not surrendered, incur five kinds of debts including to the celestial gods, sages, ancestors, other humans, and other living beings. However, these debts do not apply to those who follow their spiritual dharma and surrender to God. Toward the end of His sermon, Shree Krishna gives this message to Arjun: 

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: || 66||

sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ

Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear (BG 18.66).

How can We Practice Surrender to God? 

Spiritual aspirants can sequentially follow these steps to accomplish the goal. 

1. Absorb Divine Knowledge. In order to practice anything accurately, we first need to absorb the divine knowledge taught by the Guru. We then engage in the basic devotional practice of attaching the mind to the divine realm (i.e., the names, forms, pastimes, virtues, abodes, and saints of God) and detaching it from worldly things (i.e., people, things, outcomes, etc.). 
2. Intensify Devotional Practice. To intensify our devotional practice, we must develop the sentiment that "God and Guru alone are mine." We must nurture a resolute belief that only divine grace will enable us toward total surrender. This requires unwavering faith in the knowledge of the scriptures, in the Guru who bestows that knowledge, and in the practice of sadhana taught by the Guru. 
3. Practice the Six Aspects of Surrender. Swamiji beautifully explains that intellectual surrender comprises six aspects that are like conditions – all of which need to be fulfilled to receive divine grace. As stated in the Hari Bhakti Vilas, Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, the Vayu Puran, and the Ahirbudhni Samhita, surrender involves:

आनुकूलस्य संकल्पः, प्रतिकूलस्य वर्जनम्।
रक्ष्यति इति विश्वासो, गोप्तृत्व वरणं तथा।
आत्मनिक्षेप कार्पण्ये, षड विधा शरणागतिः।

anukulyasya sankalpah, pratikulyasya varjanam
rakshishyati iti vishvaso, goptrtve varanam tatha
atma-niksepa-karpanye, shad-vidha saranagatih
(Hari Bhakti Vilas 11.676)[v33]

Each “pad” of the verse comprises a condition for surrender. The explanation for these six aspects are drawn from Swamiji’s live lectures, commentary on the Bhagavad Gita – The Song of God (18.62) and his book, Science of Mind Management (pp. 134-141).

1. Anukulyasya sankalpah – To desire only in accordance with the desire of God. As tiny fragmental parts of God, human beings are constitutionally programmed to serve Him. A servant’s duty is to fulfill the desire of the master. Thus, to practice surrender to God, must make ensure to align our will with the divine will of God. A dry leaf is surrendered to the wind. It accepts whichever way the wind blows it – upward, downward, forward, or backward. Similarly, we too must accept circumstances in our life as God’s will and learn to be happy in His happiness. This is the first aspect of surrender.
2. Pratikulyasya varjanam – Not to desire against the desire of God. The job of Maya, God’s material energy, is to trouble the souls until they detach from the world. Troubles come to us in the form of suffering and pain. In such situations, we must not complain about anything that God gives us. Most of us forget to express our gratitude to God when He showers us with wealth, fame, pleasure, etc., however, we are quick to complain when we suffer losses. It is important to understand that our own past and present karma dictate the circumstances in life. God, who is seated in our hearts, notes our karma and dispenses the results at the appropriate time. Thus, we must learn to serenely accept them and not desire anything different than His will. This constitutes the second aspect of surrender.
3. Rakshishyati iti vishvaso – To have firm faith that God is protecting us. God is our only eternal father who takes care of and provides for all the living beings in creation – from tiny ants to massive elephants. When our worldly father takes care of us out of love and a sense of duty, there is absolutely no reason to doubt the unconditional love of our eternal father. Thus, firm faith in His protection reflects is the third aspect of surrender.
4. Goptrtve varanam tatha – To maintain an attitude of gratitude toward God. God has causelessly bestowed innumerable priceless gifts upon us including air, water, sunlight, the earth, sources of food, senses of perception, and the most valuable human form. In fact, it is because of Him that we exist. He gave us life and imparted consciousness in our soul. God does not require us to pay any taxes in return, so the least we can do is to feel deeply indebted for all His priceless gifts. Such sentiments of gratitude to God minus the feeling of entitlement, constitutes the fourth aspect of surrender.
5. Atma-niksepa-karpanye – To see everything we possess as belonging to God. God has manifested infinite universes with His infinite shaktis. The world in which we live is a small part of His creation. This world existed before our birth and will continue to exist even after our death. We came into this world with nothing and will leave the same way. So, nothing truly belongs to any of us. God alone is the true proprietor of everything in the universe. When we believe that something belongs to us, it reflects our ignorance that God is the true owner. Even we souls belong to God. To remember this knowledge and give up our sense of ownership, is the fifth aspect of surrender.
6. Shad-vidha saranagatih – To give up the pride of having surrendered. If we become proud of the good deeds that we have done, the pride dirties our heart and undoes the good we have done. That is why it is important to keep an attitude of humbleness: “If I was able to do something nice, it was only because God inspired my intellect in the right direction. Left to myself, I would never have been able to do it.” To keep such an attitude of humility is the sixth aspect of surrender.

If we want to achieve the goal of God-realization, then we must practice these six aspects of surrender until we become perfect. When we sincerely make the effort to master these conditions, God will enable us to become eligible to attain the goal. It is critical to understand that while God loves each soul unconditionally, for bestowing divine knowledge and divine love, He has instituted these conditions to be eligible to receive divine grace.

We can practice surrender to God/Guru by engaging in (a) selfless, constant, and exclusive devotion (i.e., nishkam, nitya, and ananya bhakti respectively), (b) establishing a loving relationship with God in any of the bhavs of seva including as His servant, friend, parent, or beloved), and (c) letting go of ritualistic practices (i.e., karmkand) in favor of pure and loving devotion.