Guide to saranagati – The Hindu

Saranagati (surrender to God) is best done through an acharya or guru. We do not have the capacity to perform saranagati ourselves. Therefore, we surrender to an acharya who knows everything and perform saranagati to Perumal through him. It is called Pancha Samskaram. In some sampradayas, they also perform ‘Bharanyasam’ separately, while in some others, they do Bharanyasam after Pancha Samskaram as part of it, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh.

After performing Saranagati to Perumal through an acharya, all one needs to have is ‘maha viswasam’: the belief that Perumal will take care of one, irrespective of the situation. Many devotees assume that because they observe daily practices such as sandhyavandhana, reciting Vedas, visiting temples, being part of namasankeertans, listening to discourses, they will attain moksha. Such a thought should be dismissed but the practices should be continued with more fervour. Give up the thought that they alone help in reaching moksha and hold on to Perumal alone as our sole refuge. With His divine attributes, He gives us the most treasured moksha. As a mere mortal, we should realise that and perform all services that are possible during this lifetime. We reach Him only through His divine grace (Mam ekam saranam vraja). Bhagawan, in turn, assures us, Aham tvam sarva papebhyo mokshayishayami (He will remove all our sins) and orders us not to worry (ma shuchah). The belief we get wholeheartedly is saranagati. We hold on Bhagawan’s feet by surrendering to an acharya. We continue to perform our practices with the understanding that we do not reach moksha through such performances, but He grants us moksha due to His compassion.

There are five aspects to saranagati. We should do what pleases Perumal. We should refrain from doing what Perumal dislikes. Have a strong belief that He will take care of us. Without this belief, saranagati is invalid. One should realise Perumal is the sole refuge, no one else, and plead to Perumal to take care of us.

With these aspects in mind, when a saranagatan lives, strongly believes and surrenders to the lotus feet of the Acharya, while remaining humble and respectful towards him, moksha is guaranteed.