Saranagati (total surrender or taking refuge in the Supreme Lord) in the Vaishnava tradition consists of six limbs, known as shadaanga-saranagati. These essential pillars guide a devotee in dedicating their life and actions to Krishna
prātikūlyasya varjanam
rakṣiṣyatīti viśvāso
goptṛtve varaṇaṁ tathā
ātma-nikṣepa-kārpaṇye
ṣaḍ-vidhā śaraṇāgatiḥ
(Vaiṣṇava Tantra; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 11.676; Bhakti Sandarbha: 173, 236; Caitanya-caritāmṛta: 2.22.100
The six limbs are:
- Anukulyasya Sankalpa: Accepting or engaging only in activities that are favorable to spiritual devotion.
- Pratikulyasya Varjanam: Rejecting or avoiding anything that is unfavorable or a hindrance to devotion.
- Rakshishyati Iti Vishvaso: Maintaining absolute faith that the Lord will certainly protect you.
- Goptritve Varanam: Accepting the Lord as your sole maintainer, protector, and guardian.
- Atma-Nivedana (or Atma-Nikshepa): Completely surrendering your very self and offering everything you have to the Lord. Kainkarya
- Karpanya (or Dainya): Feeling genuine humility and realizing your own helplessness without the Lord's grace.
Code Word FURSAH
Favorable, Unfavorable, Raksha, Shelter, Atma Nivedana(offering everything, Humility
Reflection questions
1. What do you feel when you read these
2. Which stage do you think you maybe closest too
3. If you are attracted to this what barriers are there in taking the next step
