*** Shelter and Surrender ***

*अनुकूलस्य संकल्प: प्रतिकूलस्य वर्जनम् | रतिस्यिीति तवश्वासो,

गोप्तृत्व वरणं िथा ||*
*आत्म तनपेि कापीव्यं षड् तवद्या शरणागति: |*

Shelter and Surrender

In “Arundaya Kirtana” Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains that the

nectar-filled names of Krishna are the sole shelter within the
universe :

Krishna-nama-sudha koriya pan, jurao bhaktivinoda-pran,

Nama bina kichu nahiko aro, caudda-bhuvana-majhe

Drink the pure nectar of the holy name of Krishna and thus satisfy
the soul of Bhaktivinoda. Except for the holy name there is nothing
within the fourteen worlds.

One must be thoroughly convinced that there is absolutely no other

shelter or source of protection in this trouble-filled world beside
Lord Sri Krishna, who is fully present in His holy name. With this
conviction and realisation one should chant the Hare Krishna Maha
Mantra.
“Taking full shelter means to express the mood, ‘O Krishna, I am
yours ! I am taking shelter of you !’ (he radhe ! he Krishna !
tavaivasmi) in the mind and out loud (Jaiva Dharma Chapter 20)

To have faith in the holy name one must firmly establish the six
symptoms of self surrender (sharanagati) within his heart. Jaiva
Dharma gives a clear description of surrender :

“The first two symptoms of surrender anukulasya sankalpah and

praticulasya varjanam ; ‘One should take a solemn Vow (sankalpa)
that I will only do what do that which is favourable for unalloyed
bhakti, and I will reject all unfavourable acts.’ The third symptom is
faith in Krishna as one’s protector (raksisyatiti) : ‘Krishna is my
only protector. I can only derive nothing from jnana yoga and other
such practices.’ This expresses one’s trust (visvaso) in Krishna.

The fourth symptom is the deliberate acceptance of Kirhsna as one’s

maintainer (goptrtve varanam) : I cannot do anything, or even
maintain myself by my own endeavour. I will serve Krishna as best
as I can, and He will surely take care of me.’ The fifth symptom of
surrender (atma-niksepa) : ‘Who am I ? I am His. My only duty is to
fulfill Krishna’s desire.’ This is submission of the self (atma-
nivedana). The sixth symptom is humility (karpanye) : ‘I am
wretched, insignificant and mentally destitute.’ (Jaiva Dharama Ch.
6)

Since there is no difference between Krishna and His holy name,

one can think of the six symptoms of surrender in relation to the
Mahamantra. Thus while chanting Hare Krishna mantra japa one
can take solemn vow : “I will only accept those people, places,
action, thoughts, desires, and feelings that are conducive to chanting
suddha-nama and I will reject everything opposed to it. I have
complete faith, which means full love and trust, that the holy name
of Krishna is my only protector. Alone I am powerless, but
Krishna's name is maintaining me and taking care of all my needs.
All I have to do is chant, chant, chant !

“I am His, everything for Nama. My only duty is to serve Krishna’s

name by chanting with pure love. O most sweet and beautiful Sri
Nama Prabhu ! I am wretched, worthless, crazy and insignificant. I
am lower than the straw in the street. Now please be causelessly
merciful to me. Please pick me up and keep me as a particle of dust
at your Lotus feet.”

Art of chanting >> Chapter Thirteen >> Japa Meditation Technique

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