Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 8:15pm
Shelter and Surrender
In "Arundaya-kirtana" Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains that the nectar-filled names of Krsna are the sole shelter within the universe:krsna-nama-sudhd koriya pan, jurdo bhakativinoda-pran,nama bind kichu ndhiko dm, caudda-bhuvana-majheDrink the pure nectar of the holy name of Krsna 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 Krsna, who is fully present in His holy name. With this conviction and realization one should chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra."Taking full shelter means to express the mood, 'O Krsna, I am Yours! I am taking shelter of You!' (he radhe! he krsna! tavaivasmi) in the mind and out loud." (jaiva Dharma ch. 20) To have faith in the holy name one must firmly establish the six symptoms of self-surrender (saranagati) within his heart. Jaiva Dharma gives a clear description of surrender:anukiilyasya sahkalpah pratikulyasya varjanamraksisyatiti visvaso goptrtve varanam tathadtma-niksepa-kdrpanye sad-vidhd sarandgatih(Hari-bhakti-vilasa 11.676)"The first two symptoms of surrender are dnukiilyasya sahkalpah and prdtikulyasya varjanam: 'One should take a solemn vow (sankalpa) that I will only do that which is favorable for unalloyed bhakti, and I will reject all unfavorable acts.' The third symptom is faith in Krsna as one's protector (raksisyatiti): 'Krsna is my only protector. I can derive nothing from jnana, yoga, and other such practices.' This expresses one's trust (visvaso) in Krsna."The fourth symptom is the deliberate acceptance of Krsna as one's maintainer (goptrtve varanam): T cannot do anything, or even maintain myself by my own endeavor. I will serve Krsna as best 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 Krsna's desire.' This is submission of the self (atma-nivedana). The sixth symptom is humility (karpanye): 'I am wretched, insignificant, and mentally destitute." (Jaiva Dharma ch. 6) Since there is no difference between Krsna and His holy name, one can think of the six symptoms of surrender in relation to the maha-mantra. Thus while chanting Hare Krsna mantra japa one can take a solemn vow: "I will only accept those people, places, actions, 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 name of Krsna is my only protector. Alone I am powerless, but Krsna'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 Krsna'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."
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हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे!!