Narayanasramam

[Guest guest]

Na dharmanisthosmi na chaatmavedee

Na bhaktimaams-tvachcharanaaravinde |

Akimchano-nanyagatih saranyam

Tatvapaadamoolam saranam prapadya ||

- Stotraratna

 

Translation:

I am neither wholesomely dedicated to dharma (morality), nor am I a knower of

the Self. I have no devotion to your lotus feet either. Having nothing in my

possession, having no other shelter, I surrender at your lotus feet, the refuge

of all.

 

Points for Introspection:

This is a sincere cry of a devotee from the depth of his heart calling out to

the Supreme Lord and surrendering himself completely in his divine reassuring

hands. To surrender to God no qualification is necessary. One must become like a

child who knows the mother and mother alone. When the child feels helpless or

fearful he runs to the mother's lap knowing that that lap is the supreme

shelter. Similar should be a devotee. He should take complete refuge at the

Lord's feet.

 

A devotee should call God in all openness and earnestness. He should place

before God all his shortcomings, his inabilities, his doubts and apprehensions,

but laden with the sincere feelings that he has nobody else except God for his

refuge. In this shloka the devotee is crying out to God: " I know I have no

qualification to please you,

neither I am a follower of dharma, nor have I attained the knowledge of the

Self. I also do not have any devotion at your holy lotus feet. Do I deserve to

be called yours and be protected by you O Lord? But still I, who has no

possession to call my own, who has no source of support anywhere else, simply

take shelter at your feet O Lord. I do not know what is good or bad for me. I

know that you alone are my only refuge. In spite of whatever shortcomings I have

O Lord, I know you will surely give me place in your lap and remove my

helplessness and fear. "

 

This shloka when chanted again and again, contemplating on each and every word,

melts the heart with the feeling of belonging to God completely and to none

else. It gives the feeling of total surrender at the Lord's feet in spite of all

the shortcomings one has. One feels a sense of relief having placed all burden

at the Lord's feet.