Surrender ---- and Samarpan

  

Just when I believed I had fully embraced surrender, Swamiji's latest discourse introduced a captivating concept: 'Samarpan.' Initially, I assumed the two were interchangeable, yet the title of his lecture, 'Samarpan - Essence of Surrender,' hinted otherwise. I turned to Google for a definition and found this- -

surrender implies submission, akin to yielding to an adversary in conflict. In contrast, Samarpan embodies an act of profound devotion. Unlike passive surrender, Samarpan involves surrendering with conscious and active involvement.

So, what I mistook for surrender in my earlier reflections might have been Samarpan! However, Swamiji playfully dismantled this notion in his discourse, sowing seeds for deeper introspection.

Herein lies the dilemma - the more I delve into introspection, the more my intellect engages. And, Swamiji asserts that this very reliance on intellect is the biggest hurdle in the path of Samarpan. Samarpan is an act of moving away from the scope of rationality and into the realm of faith. Samarpan is giving way to superstition, against what your brain might suggest—and taking a blind leap of faith. Like a kitten that allows its mother to carry it in with her teeth, or like a monkey that clings to its mother, there is no place for doubt. Samarpan is absolute.

To me, the sentiment resonates deeply as my earlier musing suggests. But Swamiji throws further challenges, unsettlingly suggesting that he doesn't actively promote or invite Samarpan towards himself. He suggests Samarpan to Sri Hari instead to avoid disappointment. He explains what he means -

- Samarpan is devoid of expectation. It does not mean everything will go smoothly thereafter, and there will be no troubles in life.

- No matter what comes - happiness or troubles, it is to be accepted like Prasad.

Then why Samarpan? He answers in his discourse -

Samarpan - Essence of surrender

And therefore, here is what I need to know if I choose to make lofty claims of Samarpan - 

- Constant awareness that my relationship with him is that of one-to-many, 

- Swamiji is not required to fit into your bracket of expectations

- Samarpan cannot happen without Grace, because it is a call to the soul

- I might claim that I am 'samarpit' but that is for my happiness, Swamiji need not acknowledge it

- He says that Sri Hari is the only one worthy of Samarpan, and he is better off being a guru because he is not going to follow expectations. 

- If I am going to be surrendered in essence to him, then I need to let him lead me blindfolded. 

- Samarpan is the sacrifice of ego, the sacrifice of expectations 

And yet, what he says at the end is immensely beautiful. Samarpan often happens after a test has been served. What can I say, I do think I have gone through a few tests, and I am ok with more if they come..... Swamiji, against all your warnings, I want to surrender,  I want to be samarpit to you. 

Another example of surrender is that of Karna, who surrendered to his cicumstances and to Duryodhana, despite knowing the outcome and that he was not on the right side of dharma. In surrendering to his fate, somewhere he was still surrendered to Krishna. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFgDfbOjjxM

Jai Sri Hari.