The power of surrender

Om Jai Sai Ram! I recently read a quote by the great sage Bhagavan Shree Ramana Maharishi : “Surrender is a mighty prayer”. It is also the most difficult form of prayer I feel. All highly enlightened souls whether they pursued bhakthi (Devotion) or Jnana (Knowledge) have arrived at this conclusion. The supreme incarnation of Lord Dattatreya Shree Shirdi Sai Baba has said “Why fear when I’m here?”. He has also said “I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me.” Another incarnation of Lord Dattatreya Shree Swami Samarth has said “Why do you worry? I am right behind you!” (Bihu na ko, me thujha patishi aahe). We read these statements often when we visit the temple or read books on great saints. Look at any religion and God has always assured that he will protect his devotees. The stories of great Devotees like Markandeya, Dhruva, Ashtavakra and Prahlada are living testament to this. There is a famous Sufi song, where the devotee beseeches the Sufi saint to provide powerful brothers to women to protect them. 

When the world around us and events are as we see fit, we remember these words effortlessly and are happy and contented. But at the first sign of trouble of any kind, we run from pillar to post. Our mind races faster than the speed of light in a whirlpool of worry. We keep thinking about all the things that can go wrong and there is no end to worrying. There is the constant thought of “Why me?” and the mind refuses to accept the current situation and this denial takes the form of futile resistance. This resistance makes suffering even more. With graceful surrender one can transcend suffering. 

However when the world around me or events are not as I wish them to be, the mind is busy telling stories “I am ruined!”. “There is great danger!” . “I will lose everything” and so on and so forth. A problematic situation at work or in a personal relationship makes us feel that it may bring about ruin and devastation to our “I” . And yet has not the Gita said that the true self or the soul cannot be hacked by weapons , burnt by fire or wet by a deluge of water. False identification with the ego and strong ego consciousness prevents one from accepting the now and living a life of futile resistance. The resistance and denial in the mind can further impede our ability to solve the problem at hand.

The most might prayer is also the most difficult one. Surrender to the Sadguru and knowing in our hearts that he has assured us and will certainly take care of us in this world and the next. However it is always a challenge to remember this and to surrender our ego at the Lotus Feet of God. His ancient feet will remove our miseries and sail us safely to our destination. Perhaps readers can share the techniques they employ in surrendering to Baba with faith and patience and thus avoid unnecessary worry which is polluting the mind and harmful to the body and the environment.

||Bow to Shree Sai|| Peace be to all ||