SARANAGATI

Besides all this, the very beginning of the practice of Bhaktiyoga is rendered possible only by the performance of a Saranagati at the outset to get rid of the sins that stand in its way.If any flaw or lapse occur in the course of the practice, it has to be expiated for and Saranagati is prescribed as a sure means of expiation. Thus Saranagati has an important place in the sphere of Bhaktiyoga. There it is only auxiliary, and is therefore called 'Anga-prapatti'. As contrasted with this, when Prapatti or 'Saranagati is adopted as an independent means for Moksa, it is known as 'Svatantraprapatti'. It is with this kind of Saranagati that we are chiefly concerned. First we shall deal with the fitness of a person for adopting
it.

Saranagati or the Doctrine of Self surrender is less difficult and therefore it is within the easy reach of all persons. It is known by several names as Prapatti (Seeking redemption at the hands of God), and Bharasamarpana or Bharanyasa (Surrender of the burden of protection to God); sometimes it is referred to as Adrstartha (the Invisible Stroke of Fortune).

Saranagati is reckoned as one of the Brahma-vidyas revealed by the Upanishads as a means for Moksa. Then it gets the name of Nyasa-vidya. The Bhagavat Sastras or Pancharatra Samhita throw great light upon the several aspects of Saranagati, its essential nature, auxiliaries, the qualifications of a person to adopt it, and the life of a person after adopting it. The Puranas and Itihasas narrate stories which serve to illustrate the several aspects of Saranagati, in human life and also in sub-human life. The Alvars swear by Saranagati to win the Grace of God.