SARANAGATI

When it is realized that Sriman Narayana is the Over-soul who pervades everything and that all things exist only for His purpose, all people will, with great care and earnestness, carry out the dictates of the Sastras, which are but His commands. They will never do what is prohibited by the "Sastras, nor will they ever fail to carry out what is prescribed. Thus they will try to do only that which please Him and will avoid whatever is displeasing to Him. These are the two angas known as Anukulya-samkalpa and Pratikulya-varjana.

Intense faith or Maha-visvasa is the next anga. The person must have faith that the Lord will certainly hear his prayers and help him. This faith makes the person perform Saranagati without any hesitation and keeps him free from anxiety about the realization of his desires.

Goptrtva-varana or the Supplication for protection is another anga or accessory. The value of an object will be realized only when a person longs to have it and gets it. A thing given unasked will cease to be a purusartha - an object of yearning. So a person must pray to the Lord to save him. i.e. invoke Him to be his protector. True the Lord is Omniscient and therefore knows the thoughts of others. He is Omnipotent and so can do anything. He is also merciful and so is eager to help others by removing their distress. The presence of these qualities in the Lord does not debar us from resorting to some means to merit His mercy. On the other hand the Lord expects us to make a request for help before He grants our desires. That is in line with the way of the world.