Thus Spake The Lord

February 8, 2009

Thus Spake The Lord

There are three types of Saranagathi: Thavaivaaham (I am Thine), Mamaiva-thwam (You are mine) and Thwamevaaham (Thou art I). The first affirms, "I am Yours"; the second asserts, "You are mine", and the third declares, "You and I are One, the Same". Each is just a step in the rising series and the last is the highest step of all.

In the first stage, Thav-eva-aham, the Lord is fully free and the devotee is fully bound. It is like the cat and the kitten; the cat shifts the kitten about as it wills; the kitten just mews and accepts whatever happens. This attitude is very gentle and is within easy reach of all.

In the second, Mama-eav-thwam, the devotee binds the Lord, who is to that extent 'un-free!' Surdas is a good example of this attitude. "Krishna! You may escape from my hold, from the clasp of these arms; but you cannot escape from my heart, where I have bound You," challenged Surdas. The Lord just smiled and assented; for, "I am bound by My devotees." He asserts so without any loss of self-respect. The devotee can tie up the Lord with his Prema; by Bhakthi that overwhelms and overpowers his egoism. When man is full of this type of Bhakthi, the Lord Himself blesses him with everything he needs. His Grace will fulfill all his wants. Remind yourself here of the promise made by the Lord in the Geetha. "Yogakshemam vahaamyaham,I carry the burden of his welfare."

Next, about the third stage: "Thwamevaaham ithi thridhaa"; this is the Avibhaktha-bhakthi, the inseparable devotion. The devotee offers all to the Lord, including himself, for he feels that he cannot withhold himself. That completes his surrender.

Source: Chapter 3, Geetha Vahini; Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.