Srivaisnavism influence on Gaudiya

[Guest guest]

This post is taken from a vaisnava forum, it's interesting to note

the infleunce of srivaisnavism on the gaudiya tradition.

 

Saranagati—the Heart of Bhakti

 

I am not actually sure of the difference in these two terms, as both

Prapatti and saranagati are understood as the act of self-surrender

to God. In prapatti and saranagati one genuinely understands his

incapacity to save himself and thus gives himself fully to the Lord.

This is summarized in the following verse, written by Vedanta Desika,

a celebrated 14th century acharya of the Ramanuja sampradaya.

 

"Lord, I, who am nothing, conform to your will and desist being

contrary to it, and with faith and prayer, submit to you the burden

of saving my soul (Nyasadashaka 2)."

 

In Gaudiya Vaisnavism saranagati is mentioned in Sri Sanatana

Goswami's Hari-bhakti-vilasa, as well as in Jiva Goswami's Bhakti-

sandarbha but it is understood that the term has been introduced into

Gaudiya Vaisnavism from the writings of the Ramanuja Sampradaya.

 

Also taken from the works of the Sri Sampradaya, Gaudiya acharyas

write that the six limbs of Saranagati are: i) acceptance of the

favorable; ii) rejection of the unfavorable; iii) full confidence in

the Lord's protection; iv) embracing the Lord's guardianship; v) full

self-surrender; and, vi) surrender in humility.

 

In Vaisnavism the path of surrender (prapatti / saranagati) serves as

an alternative to certain forms of smarta brahmanism where moksa is

thought to be attained by the perfection of various techniques and

mantras. As a jiva in his conditioned state is considered unfit for

pure bhakti (para bhakti or suddha bhakti) prapatti / saranagati is

said to be the means to attain these high devotional states which

grant moksa or liberation.

 

In essence saranagati requires that a person feel humble and helpless

before God and in this state it is believed that God gives them the

inner means and resolve to attain him. In Gaudiya Vaisnavism the

means to attain the goal of suddha or pure bhakti is sadhana bhakti

or devotional service in practice. Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas teach

that the essence of sadhana bhakti is saranagati or surrender.

Without saranagati-self surrender, sadhana bhakti could be viewed as

little more than following rules and regulations which would make the

practice akin to smarta brahmanism. Thus in Gaudiya Vaisnavism

saranagati is considered the innermost heart of sadhana bhakti.

 

Bdas