The Six Keys to Divine Connection: Understanding True Surrender to Shree Krishna
- CA Bhavesh Jhalawadia
- 0
- Posted on
In a profound discourse by Swami Mukundananda, the essence of drawing closer to God, specifically Shree Krishna, is beautifully unveiled through the concept of surrender. This isn’t merely a passive act, but a conscious realignment of our consciousness, a shift in perspective that unlocks divine grace and dissolves the karmic burdens accumulated over lifetimes. The Swami eloquently breaks down surrender into six crucial aspects, providing a practical roadmap for spiritual seekers.
The fundamental premise, as articulated, is that while we remain un-surrendered, the impartial law of karma governs our experiences. However, the moment we truly surrender, divine grace intervenes, acting as a purifying fire that eradicates the accumulated effects of our past actions. This surrender, however, is not an external performance. It’s not about donning specific attire, visiting holy sites, or reciting mantras in isolation. Instead, it’s an internal transformation, a state of being characterized by specific facets.
Let’s delve into these six vital keys to unlocking a deeper connection with the Divine through surrender:
1. Align Your Wish with the Wish of Your Beloved (God and Guru):
The first key lies in consciously harmonizing our desires with the desires of God and our spiritual guide, the Guru. Surrender, by its very definition, implies accepting our role as a servant of the Divine. Just as a devoted servant prioritizes fulfilling the master’s wishes, a surrendered soul seeks to align their will with the Lord’s.
The poignant example of Meerabai beautifully illustrates this principle. Her unwavering devotion echoed, “If Shri Krishna wishes to make me laugh, I will laugh. If he wishes to make me cry, I will cry. If he wishes to ignore me, so be it. If he wishes to shower his love and accept me, so be it.” This embodies a complete acceptance of whatever comes as the Lord’s divine will.
Conversely, questioning divine actions with phrases like “Oh God, why did you do this to me?” signifies a break in this surrender. True surrender embraces the understanding that whatever the Lord wills is ultimately for our highest good, even if it’s not immediately apparent to our limited perception.
2. Don’t Desire Against the Desire of God:
This second point reinforces the first, presented as a double negative for emphasis. If we actively strive to desire in accordance with God’s will, we will naturally refrain from desiring anything contrary to it.
The crucial question then arises: how do we discern God’s desires? The answer lies in the wisdom gleaned from the scriptures and the guidance received from a genuine Guru. These sources illuminate the principles of righteous living, discouraging irresponsibility, wastefulness, and the relentless pursuit of fleeting, sensory pleasures.
The challenge often arises when faced with suffering. While happiness is readily accepted without question, even a minor inconvenience can trigger complaints like “Why did God do this to me?” This very thought constitutes a pratikul, a desire against the divine will. The Lord’s instruction is clear: “You do your bit, you do your best, and you leave the results to me.” Accepting the outcomes, both pleasant and unpleasant, with equanimity is an integral aspect of surrender.
The Bhagwatam beautifully states that “God’s property will become your inheritance” if we fulfill certain conditions, one of which is this acceptance of results. We are urged to wait patiently for His grace, refraining from complaints about delays, understanding that any perceived delay often stems from our own lack of preparedness. We are encouraged to bear both happiness and distress peacefully, without resentment, and to accept the consequences of our past karmas with the same unwavering spirit.
3. Always Feel That He Is Protecting Me, and So I Have Got Nothing to Fear:
The third key to surrender is cultivating an unwavering faith in the Lord’s protection, leading to the dissipation of fear. Just as a small child held securely in a parent’s hands feels no fear, even when seemingly in a precarious position, we, as children of the eternal Father, should trust in His unwavering care.
The anecdote of the naval captain and his wife vividly illustrates this point. Amidst a raging storm that terrified everyone on board, the captain remained calm. When his wife questioned his lack of fear, he placed his sword on her head. Her lack of fear stemmed from her complete trust in her husband’s love and well-wishes. Similarly, a surrendered soul has unwavering faith that their life is in God’s hands, and He, being the ultimate well-wisher, will always act for their ultimate benefit, even if it involves experiences we might perceive as negative.
Worry, therefore, becomes a measure of our lack of surrender. To the extent we harbor anxieties, we haven’t fully placed our trust in the Divine. True surrender brings with it a profound sense of peace and freedom from worry.
4. Always Feel Gratitude for All the Little Graces That You Receive:
The fourth key emphasizes the importance of cultivating a constant sense of gratitude for the myriad blessings, both large and small, that we receive. While the ultimate grace leads to liberation and God-realization, the journey is paved with countless smaller acts of divine benevolence that we often take for granted.
The very air we breathe, the earth that sustains us, are all gifts of divine grace. We often inhale and exhale without a second thought, yet the COVID-19 pandemic poignantly reminded us of the preciousness of each breath. This essential element, freely available, is a testament to God’s boundless mercy.
The analogy of a father working tirelessly for his child highlights the ingratitude of taking blessings for granted. Just as a child should appreciate the sacrifices of a parent, we should recognize that everything we possess is ultimately a manifestation of God’s grace, His prasad. Even the food we eat is a result of His intricate creation, a “technology” far beyond human comprehension. The transformation of simple mud into nourishing sustenance is a miracle we often overlook.
Therefore, cultivating a deep sense of appreciation for all the blessings, recognizing them as divine grace, is a crucial aspect of surrender.
5. Keep This Sentiment That All I Have Belongs to the Lord; It Is Not Mine:
The fifth key involves relinquishing the sense of proprietorship, the ingrained belief that our possessions are truly our own. We enter this world empty-handed and will ultimately depart the same way. The notion of “this is mine” and “that is mine” is a fundamental misconception. In reality, the entire universe belongs to the Lord.
The inspiring story of Raja Ragu, an ancestor of Lord Rama renowned for his unparalleled charity, illustrates this principle beautifully. After performing a Vishwajit Yagya, where he was obligated to give away all his possessions, he donned the simple attire of a beggar. When he overheard his citizens praising his immense generosity, he rebuked them, stating that he had not truly given anything away. He reasoned that when he entered the world, he possessed nothing, and everything he had acquired ultimately belonged to God.
This understanding, this conscious surrender of the feeling of ownership, is a vital step in our spiritual journey. Recognizing ourselves as mere custodians of what belongs to the Divine fosters detachment and diminishes ego.
6. Surrender the Pride of Having Surrendered:
The final, and perhaps most subtle, key is to surrender the very pride of having surrendered. Even after performing good deeds and engaging in devotion, we must forsake any sense of self-importance or the feeling that we achieved it through our own merit alone.
True devotion attributes all successes and abilities to divine grace. In the challenging Kali Yuga, the very inclination towards devotion and the intellect to engage in it are seen as blessings from the Lord. We can never truly repay the countless mercies we receive.
Therefore, the final act of surrender involves relinquishing any tinge of pride and acknowledging that any progress on the spiritual path is solely due to the causeless mercy of the Divine.
Conclusion:
These six keys, as elucidated by Swami Mukundananda, offer a comprehensive understanding of true surrender. It’s not a singular act but a continuous process of aligning our will, accepting divine will, trusting in divine protection, cultivating gratitude, relinquishing ownership, and even surrendering the pride of surrender itself. By diligently striving to embody these principles, we can undoubtedly attract divine grace, dissolve our karmic burdens, and draw closer to the ultimate reality, Shree Krishna. The journey requires sincere effort coupled with unwavering faith, knowing that the Lord’s grace is always available to those who truly seek refuge in Him.