Surrender

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Surrender

 

In Sai satcharita it is emphasized that to attain God in kaliyug the

easiest method is devotion. Devotion or love of God develops in those

who have Faith in the words of the Guru and the Scriptures. It is

mentioned that the devotion should be of a nature of surrender to the

Guru with love and humility.

 

Surrender means to give away something of ours on compulsion or

demand. If one looks carefully and thoughtfully at what is that we

are surrendering in spiritual life, the answer is a big surprise.

Spiritual life can either be a bhaktimarg or jnana marg. In bhakti

marg the sincere devotee feels every thing belongs to God (tera tere

arpan kya lage mera). So the question of surrender does not arise. In

jnana marg the jnani feels that God is the absolute reality. (Ekam

advitiyam brahma). If there is only one thing exists who is

surrendering to who! So again the word surrender does not arise.

 

So, the word surrender is used for those who believe that they are in

the bondage of body, mind and intellect complex (ego). Surrender in

the truest sense is the ultimate step for a devotee. Surrender

removes the ego from the person.

 

In the beginning stages of devotion the surrender to God or Guru may

be due to one's own fears or desires etc. Usually the gates of

surrender open when the ego feels helpless in answering the questions

of life (Blessing in disguise)! The story of Sri Sathe in Sai

Satcharita emphasizes this example. As one progresses in sadhana one

realizes the limitations of ego and unlimited potential of God. It is

like climbing the steps of a huge temple. Surrender to God due to any

cause will uplift the person provided the person persuades the

sadhana with honesty and sincerity. (To mention a few, Prahlada with

knowledge, Dhruva with desire, Meera with love, Sugriva with fear

surrendered to God) .As the surrender deepens, the body mind complex

starts melting in the divine love. The feeling of " Let me become an

instrument in the hands of God " , evolves. Slowly, the feelings of me

and mine get sublimated in the wake of knowledge. In this stage

devotee will come to know that what appeared, as sadhana is also his

Grace only. At this point the natural acceptance of divine will

becomes the way of life without any internal disputes or dialogues.

It is like when a jasmine blossoms it exudes the fragrance as a

natural occurrence. This knowledge or divine love leads to live one's

life obeying and following the teachings of Guru with the nature of

peace which passeth all understanding. This total annihilation of ego

makes one to know that God alone is. This experiential truth is

nothing but the flow of the Grace of the God making the devotee to

climb up the final rung in the ladder of surrender. Sri Sai aptly

mentions this, " You Look To Me, I look To You. "