Sharanagati Explained

Sharanagati (Sanskrit: शरणागति; IAST: Śaraṇāgati) or Prapatti (Sanskrit: प्रपत्ति; IAST: Prapatti), is the process of total surrender to God (Narayana-Krishna) in the tradition of Vaishnavism. The process of Sharanagati forms the basis of devotion to Vishnu in the bhakti traditions within the Sri Sampradaya, propounded by Ramanuja (1017–1137 CE), and the Gaudiya Sampradaya, founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1482–1533 CE). Ramanuja considered surrender to Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi to be the highest goal of life, while Chaitanya emphasised surrender to Krishna and his consort Radha as supreme.

Literature

Sri Vaishnava texts offer their recognition of the practice of Sharanagati. Yamunacharya posited this approach as an alternative to the conventional practices of seeking salvation:[1] Vedanta Desika's commentary on this sloka offers his perspective:[2]

Initiation

The formal ritual of Sharanagati is a Vedic and Puranic scriptural and tradition backed ritual called the Pancha-Samskara, or "the five impressions", and another name is Samashrayanam. The individual receives the following:

Principles

Sri Vaishnavism

In the Sri Vaishnava tradition, the Sharanagati is divided into six principles:

  1. Accepting those things that are favorable for devotion to God (anukulyasya sankalpa)
  2. Rejecting those things that are averse to surrender to God (pratikulyasya varjanam)
  3. Considering God to be one's protector in all circumstances (raksisyatiti visvasa)
  4. Accepting God as one's maintainer (goptrtve varanam)
  5. Surrendering everything in God's service (atma-niksepa)
  6. Cultivating a humble attitude (karpanya)

Gaudiya Vaishnavism

In the Gaudiya tradition, the Sharanagati is divided into ten principles :

  1. Dainya
  2. Atma Nivedana
  3. Goptritve Varana
  4. Avasya Raksibe Krsna Visvasa Palana- Rejection of activities harmful to devotional service
  5. Bhakti Anukula Matra Karyera Svikara
  6. Bhakti Pratikula Bhava Varjanangikara
  7. Bhajan Lalasa
  8. Siddhi Lalasa
  9. Vijnapti
  10. Sri Nama Mahatmya

Five Limbs

In the philosophy of Vishistadvaita, the Saranagati bears 5 elements: the five limbs, referred to as angas, and the adherent of these, known as an angi.

  1. Acknowledgement of one's helplessness
  2. Determination to not err again
  3. Vowing to follow the rules
  4. Possessing an unshakeable faith that God is the sole refuge
  5. Seeking God as one's protector

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Umakantham. C . Greatness Of Saranagati In Sri Vaishnavism . 2001.
  2. Book: Umakantham. C . Greatness Of Saranagati In Sri Vaishnavism . 2001.