The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Doctrine of surrender

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 24, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Doctrine of surrender

CHENNAI, FEB.24 . The scriptures state that the rationale behind the Supreme Being's incarnations in the world is reinstatement of Dharma whenever it is on the wane. But, in truth it is God's infinite compassion towards suffering humanity, which motivates Him to assume different forms and show mankind the way to salvation. This can be seen from Valmiki's pointed question to Narada as to who among those living then was the abode of virtues, which led to the composition of the Ramayana. This becomes the leitmotif of the epic for Valmiki portrays Him as the personification of auspicious qualities in whom man can take refuge.

In his discourse, Sengalipuram Sri Damodara Dikshitar said certain requirements were necessary for surrender (Saranagati, Prapatti) to be effective. The person to whom one surrenders must be compassionate enough to be moved to help him and he should also be capable of offering protection for which he must be invincible. That Rama fulfilled these can be seen from the epic. When both Rama and Lakshmana swooned during their encounter with Indrajit, Rama regained consciousness first and seeing His brother's condition started weeping piteously recalling the valorous fight he put up.

Even in His grief Rama did not forget His pledge to Vibhishana who had surrendered to Him for He told Sugriva, "Since Vibhishana has not been enthroned by Me as the ruler of ogres, that vain prattling of Mine (that Vibhishana would be installed on the throne of Lanka) will ever consume Me; there is no doubt about it." Rama's overriding concern was that He should keep His promise to Vibhishana. There is a hint of His mental relief in the Samkshepa Ramayana — the brief outline of the epic as told by Narada to Valmiki at the outset— after Ravana was slain that He could now coronate Vibhishana. Narada told Valmiki, "Having installed Vibhishana, the chief of the ogres, on the throne of Lanka, Sri Rama felt accomplished of purpose and, rid of anxiety, greatly rejoiced... "

As this is the kind of commitment the Almighty has towards those who take refuge in Him, the devotee should also fulfil certain conditions for his surrender to be fruitful. Vibhishana's surrender is considered paradigmatic in tradition as it exemplified all the five elements of Saranagati laid down in the scriptures.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News Update

Stories in this Section

Cartoon - I

Cartoon - II

The Hindu Crossword No. 8225

Solution to puzzle No. 8224

Doctrine of surrender

dated February 24, 1955: Indo-Pak travel

dated February 24, 1955: Speaker pulls up members

dated February 24, 1955: Colombo powers & SEATO

dated February 24, 1955: U.S. atomic test

Weather