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Doctrine of surrender

CHENNAI: Faith is the basis on which the path to liberation rests. This is because the way to Moksha is obscure. The teachings in the Upanishads try to clarify the knowledge of the Supreme Brahman that can only be intuitively felt and experienced. But the Bhagavad Gita, which is the essence of the Upanishads, explains the means by which this can be attained. The paths of Karma, Bhakti and Jnana that Lord Krishna explains at length serve to inculcate the right attitude and spirit to work, worship and knowledge, while the promise of liberation to those who place implicit faith in Him and surrender at His feet is most valuable for the Jivatma caught in the cycle of Samsara, said Sri L. Sampathkumar in a lecture.

Of the three, Bhakti Yoga might appear simple since this makes it possible to realise God through sheer devotion. But one has to practise it with utmost sincerity and humility. Scriptures use the analogy of the uninterrupted flow of oil to describe the full time demands of true devotion. God for His part shows tremendous Vatsalya (parental love) towards the truly devout. He expects only sincerity and not ostentatious forms of worship. He reassures the devotee that even a fruit, flower or a drop of water will be gladly accepted by Him provided it is offered with true devotion. The essence of Karma and Jnana Yogas is subsumed in Bhakti.

Discussions on the doctrine of surrender (Prapatti) refer to two views regarding the attitude of the Jivatma while offering one’s soul to God. Either the Jivatma makes an effort to practise Bhakti and realise God, or the Jivatma believes that God’s divine will alone can kindle the unshakable faith and devotion within it.

The analogies used in this context are popularly known as Markata Kishora Nyaya (where the baby monkey clings to the mother for protection) and Marjara Kishora Nyaya (where the kitten does nothing yet remains safe in the mother’s hands).

In the former, the monkey depends on its grip while being carried by its mother and there is risk if it fails to hold on, while the kitten has no risk factor since it is the mother cat who undertakes the full responsibility of taking the kitten to the safe destination.

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