Pujya Ramsukhdasji Maharaj

[Guest guest]

Who is Eligible for taking Refuge in God?

 

Question: Earlier you said, Jnana Yog (Discipline of Knowledge),

is about giving up doership; Karma Yoga (Discipline of Selfless

Service), is about giving up desire for fruit; i.e. sacrifice

activity and objects, give up enjoyer-ship; Whereas Bhakti yoga

(Discipline of Devotion), is only about taking refuge (sharanagati)

in Bhagwaan. Surrendering is most essential aspect of Devotion. Who

is eligible for this type of devotion?

 

Answer: Eligible for taking refuge (sharanagati, surrendering to

God), is he who does not see himself capable of doing any spiritual

practice on his own; and at the same time, he cannot do without God,

nor is he at ease in God's absence. In other words, he realizes

that he does not have the strength, the capability, the abilities to

do spiritual practices, to realize God on his own, but at the same

time he does not feel dejected, and is restless for God. Such a

person takes refuge in Bhagwaan.

 

Arjuna says - " kaarpanya doso pahatasvabhaavah;

prchhaami tvaam dharmasamoodhacetaa h;

yacchereyah syaanniscitam broohi tanme

sisyaste'ham saadhi maam tvaam prapannam " (Gita 2:7)

 

Arjuna says †" " My nature is overwhelmed with the vice of faint-

heartedness, and my mind is confused with regard to my duty. I

entreat you, tell me what is decidedly good for me. I am your

disciple. Do instruct me, who have taken refuge in you. " (Gita 2:7)

 

Arjuna says, I am your disciple, my intellect is incapable of

deciding what right or wrong. This is sharanagati †" refuge in God.

Just like while falling asleep, one does not have to do anything to

fall asleep. Simply out of being tired from all the activities of

the day, one eases into sleep. Similarly, in sharanagati, one does

not have to do anything, but simply yield and realize one's own lack

of strength, capability, abilities etc.

 

As long as we think we can attain with our abilities, strength etc.

e.g. I can meditate, I can contemplate on God, I can do so much

japa, I so regular reading of scriptures etc., such a person cannot

surrender to God. But the minute he realizes that everything is

happening only by His grace, then surrendering will be easy. Just

like a little child who sees no support, or strength of his own, and

when a dog charges at him barking, he runs to his mother for

protection. Sharanagat is similar. As long as there is pride in

doer-ship, one cannot surrender. The pride of doer-ship will not

allow him to surrender. It is only when †" " Hu haaryo bahut bidhi

jatan kari, atishay prabal kari… " tulsidas

The realization that after doing so much effort, I have still

failed, then he is eligible for surrender. He is dejected with his

own abilities, and there is hope only from Bhagwaan.

 

Taking refuge is the easiest and the most difficult. Just like, in

sleeping what effort is involved? Similarly what effort is required

in calling out to God - " He Naath ! Hey Mere Naath ! " Until we

see our own capability, how will we be able to surrender? Just

think ! If dependency is still on world, how will we surrender?

How much strength do our thoughts have? our intellect has ? With

that finite strength, can we attain the Infinite? By surrendering

we get the strength from the very Source. Simply surrender at His

Lotus feet. Leave all other dependencies. There is no other

hope. " Ek aasaro, ek bal, ek aas vishwaas; ek Raam Ghanshyaam

chaatak Tulsidas. " This is exclusivity (ananyataah) , thereafter,

everything He will do, because His strength is infinite. Nirbal ke

bal Ram. (The strength of the weak is Ram)