— { Sri Sri Prapanna-Jivanamritam } —

CHAPTER 2
Sri Sastra-vachanamritam—The Nectar of Scriptural Word

sruti-smrty-adi-sastresu, prapattir yan nirupyate
tad uktam dvitiyadhyaye, sri-sastra-vachanamrte [1]

This second chapter, Sri Sastra-vachanamritam, The Nectar of Scriptural Word, describes surrender as corroborated in the Revealed Scriptures headed by the Vedas (Sruti) and the Religious Codes (Smrti).

prapattih srutau—
yo brahmanam vidadhati-purvam yo brahma-vidyam
     tasmai gah palayati sma krsnah
tam hi devam atma-vrtti-prakasam
     mumuksur vai saranam amum vrajet [2]

Tapanyam (Br: Sam, tika)

Surrender is firmly established by the Vedas—
"In the beginning of creation, He who created the universal creator, Brahma, and then imparted to Brahma knowledge of Brahman, the Absolute—He is the selfsame Lord Krishna who tends the cows (or nourishes the Vedas [gah means both 'cows' and Vedas]). Those desirous of liberation should surrender unto that Lord, who reveals the innate function of the soul."

tadatmya-yatharthyam smrtau—
ahankrtir ma-karah syan, na-karas tan nisedhakah
tasmat tu namasa ksetri-, svatantryam pratisidhyate [3]
bhagavat-paratantro 'sau, tad ayattatma-jivanah
tasmat sva-samarthya-vidhim, tyajet sarvam asesatah [4]

Padma-uttara-khanda

The cause of the tangible reality of surrender is expounded in the Standard Codes of Religion (Smriti)—
"The syllable ma means 'self-asserting ego' (the misconception of considering oneself to be a 'doer'), and the syllable na indicates its prevention. Thus, the act of offering obeisances (namah) nullifies the offerer's independence. The soul is naturally subordinate to the Almighty, his intrinsic nature and innate function being servitude to the Supreme Lord. Therefore, all actions performed thinking, 'I am the doer,' should be utterly abandoned."

ahankarad-aprapattih—
ahankara-nivrttanam, kesavo nahi duragah
ahankara-yutanam hi, madhye parvata-rasayah [5]

Br: Vai:

The only obstacle to surrender is self-asserting ego—
"The Supreme Lord Kesava remains in the company of persons who are free from a mundane conception of life; but there appears to be a great mountain range between the self-asserting egotists and the Lord."

advaya-jnanam anasritanam eva jagad-darsanam—
yavat prthaktvam idam atmana indriyartha-
maya-balam bhagavato jana isa pasyet
tavan na samsrtir asau pratisankrameta
vyarthapi duhkha-nivaham vahati kriyartha [6]

Bha: 3.9.9

Persons who do not take shelter of the One without a second, the Supreme Lord, simply loiter in the world of birth and death—
"O Lord, Soul of all souls, the conditioned soul sees this universe as separate from You, and thinks it is meant for his sense enjoyment. But this is only a creation of Your deluding potency (maya). As long as the living being clings to such an illusory separate interest, he does not give up the miserable world of action and reaction, birth and death, despite its utter meaninglessness."

tan nityatvam, tad abhave atmano vanchitatvat—
prapyapi durllabhataram, manusyam vibudhepsitam
yair asrito na govindas, tair atma vanchitas chiram [7]

Br: Vai:

The unsurrendered soul is perpetually deceived; thus, the state of surrender is eternal—
"A birth in the human species is so valuable that it is aspired for by the demigods. Those who, despite having taken such a birth, do not take shelter of the lotus feet of Govinda—they deceive themselves perpetually."

aprapannanam jivana-vaiphalyach cha—
asitin chaturas chaiva, laksams tan jiva-jatisu
bhramyadbhih purusaih prapya, manusyam janma-paryayat [8]
tad apy aphalatam yatam, tesam atmabhimaninam
varakanam anasritya, govinda-charana-dvayam [9]

Br: Vai:

The utter futility of life without surrender—
"After wandering throughout 8,400,000 species, the soul eventually takes a human birth. But that human birth is rendered worthless by those miserable fellows who are so proud of their bodies that they refuse to take shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Govinda."

sarvadhamesv api mukti-datrtvam—
sarvachara-vivarjitah satha-dhiyo vratya jagad-vanchaka
dambhahankrti-pana-paisuna-parah papantyaja nisthurah
ye chanye dhana-dara-putra-niratah sarvadhamas te 'pi hi
sri-govinda-padaravinda-sarana mukta bhavanti dvija [10]

Narasimha

Even the lowest of men are liberated by surrender—
"O twice-born, persons who are devoid of all virtuous practices, who are outcast, rogues, deceitful, audacious, egotistic, addicted to intoxicants, hotbeds of sin, malicious, cruel-natured, grossly infatuated with son, wife, wealth, etc.—even such extremely fallen persons are liberated by surrendering unto the lotus feet of Sri Govinda."

tan nisthasya nadho-gatih—
paramartham asesasya, jagatam adi karanam
saranyam saranam yato, govindam navasidati [11]

Br: Na:

A surrendered soul never falls down—
"Sri Govinda is the origin of all the universes, the Supreme Truth, and the shelter of all. One who surrenders unto His lotus feet can never be cast asunder."

duhkha-haratvam mano-haratvan cha—
sthitah priya-hite nityam, ya eva purusarsabhah
rajams tava yadu-srestho, vaikunthah purusottamah [12]
ya enam samsrayantiha, bhaktya narayanam harim
te tarantiha durgani, na me 'trasti vicharana [13]

[Mahabharata] Santiparva

Surrender unto the Supreme Lord Hari vanquishes misery and charms the heart with the Lord's divine sweetness—
"O King, what more can I say? The foremost of the Yadu dynasty, the unassailable great personality who is full of goodwill for you and always your dear friend— He is none other than the Supreme Lord Narayana, Sri Hari. Those who devotedly take full refuge in Him cross over this insurmountable ocean of material existence."

abhayamrta-datrtvan cha—
ye sankha-chakrabja-karam hi sarnginam
khagendra-ketum varadam sriyah patim
samasrayante bhava-bhiti-nasanam
tesam bhayam nasti vimukti-bhajam [14]

Vamana

Completely vanquishing all fear, surrender bestows the life of eternal nectar—
"The Lord of the Goddess of Fortune bears a conchshell, disc, lotus flower, and bow; He is the Master of Garuda, He is the vanquisher of the fear of mundane existence, He is the bestower of all benedictions. No trace of apprehension remains for those who take refuge in Him, since they qualify for positive immortality."

sarvartha-sadhakatvam—
samsare 'smin maha-ghore, moha-nidra-samakule
ye harim saranam yanti, te krtartha na samsayah [15]

Br: Na:

A surrendered soul is successful in all endeavors—
"In the dense darkness of this material world which is engulfed in ignorance and sleep, those who surrender unto the holy lotus feet of Lord Hari are successful in all their endeavors. Of this there is no doubt."

ajitendriyanam api siva-datvam—
kim durapadanam tesam, pumsam uddama-chetasam
yair asritas tirtha-padas, charano vyasanatyayah [16]

Bha: 3.23.42

By surrender, even persons of uncontrolled senses attain all good fortune—
"The lotus feet of Lord Hari vanquish material existence. By surrendering unto His lotus feet, nothing remains difficult to achieve, even for a person of agitated mind."

samsara-klesa-haritvam—
sarira manasa divya, vaiyase ye cha manusah
bhautikas cha katham klesa, badheran hari-samsrayam [17]

Bha: 3.22.37

All worldly suffering is vanquished for the surrendered soul—
"O Vidura, how can a person who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Hari be stricken with bodily and mental tribulation arising from the elements, other persons, or unfavorable astrological circumstances?"

saranagatanam ayatna-siddham eva param padam—
samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam
mahat-padam punya-yaso murareh
bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param padam
padam padam yad vipadam na tesam [18]

Bha: 10.14.53

The Supreme Abode of Lord Vishnu is effortlessly attainable for the surrendered souls—
"This ocean of material existence is as insignificant as the water in a cow's hoofprint to those persons who have taken full refuge in the supreme shelter—the boat of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, whose glories are universally sung as purity's own self. Their destination is the Lord's supreme abode, never this mundane abode of calamities."

sarvatmasritanam vivarta-nivrttih—
yesam sa eva bhagavan dayayed anantah
sarvatmanasrita-pado yadi nirvyalikam
te dustaram atitaranti cha deva-mayam
naisam mamaham iti dhih sva-srgala-bhaksye [19]

Bha: 2.7.42

The illusion of bodily identification and mundane possessiveness is dispelled for the souls surrendered to the Lord in all respects—
"Due to their taking shelter of His lotus feet in all respects, those persons upon whom the Infinite Supreme Lord bestows His unreserved grace surpass the insurmountable illusory energy of the Lord. He does not favor those who ascribe the conceptions of 'I and mine' to this material body, which is food for jackals and hounds."

tad upeksitanam duhkha-pratikarah ksanika eva—
balasya neha saranam pitarau nrsimha
nartasya chagadam udanvati majjato nauh
taptasya tat-pratividhir ya ihanjasestas
tavad vibho tanu-bhrtam tvad-upeksitanam [20]

Bha: 7.9.19

For persons devoid of a relationship with the Supreme Lord Hari, prevention of suffering cannot but be transitory—
"O Nrisimha, O Almighty Lord, precautions and remedies are only short-lived when attempted by the suffering embodied souls who are not favored by You. Parents are not the guardians of their child, medicine is not the cure for the diseased, and a boat is not the savior of a man drowning in the ocean."

anasritanam asad avagrahad eva vividharttih—
tavad bhayam dravina-deha-suhrn-nimittam
sokah sprha paribhavo vipulas cha lobhah
tavan mamety asad-avagraha arti-mulam
yavan na te 'nghrim abhayam pravrnita lokah [21]

Bha: 3.9.6

The various tribulations of the unsurrendered souls are simply due to their obsession with the unreal—
"O Lord, as long as the people of the world do not take the safe and sound shelter of Your lotus feet, they remain full of anxiety about their wealth, their bodies, and their friends; overwhelmed with lamentation, hankering, obsession, and intense greed, they cannot obtain relief from the suffering which is deeply rooted in their imaginary conceptions of 'I and mine'."

paripurna-kamo harir evasrayaniyo 'nyadd-heyam—
avismitam tam paripurna-kamam, svenaiva labhena samam prasantam
vinopasarpaty aparam hi balisah, sva-langulenatititartti sindhum [22]

Bha: 6.9.22

One should take refuge in the fully self-satisfied Supreme Lord Hari; the shelter of 'other gods' yields a lamentably inferior result—
"Lord Krishna is perfectly replete in everything desirable, fully self-sufficient, poised and tranquil. Nothing can be astonishing for Him. Only a fool disregards Him to take shelter in any demigod whose propitiation may be prescribed for the accomplishment of worldly benefits. Such a person may be compared to one who seizes a dog's tail in order to cross the ocean."

harer eva sarvoddharitvam—
kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pukkasa
abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah
ye 'nye cha papa yad-upasrayasrayah
sudhyanti tasmai prabhavisnave namah [23]

Bha: 2.4.18

Only Sri Hari is capable of delivering the living being in all circumstances—
"Persons such as those belonging to the races known as Kirata, Huna, Andhra, Pulinda, Pukkasa, Abhira, Suhma (Kanka), Yavana, and Khasa—nay, persons of each and every sinful birth are perfectly purified without a doubt, by taking shelter of the devotees surrendered to Lord Vishnu, the Almighty. I do offer my respectful obeisances unto Him."

hari-charanasrita eva sara-grahino 'nyatha karma-yogadibhir atma-ghatitvam—
athata ananda-dugham padambujam
hamsah srayerann aravinda-lochana
sukham nu visvesvara yoga-karmabhis
tan mayayami vihata na maninah [24]

Bha: 11.29.3

Only surrendered souls can properly distinguish substance from form; those who disregard Lord Hari to seek happiness on the empirical paths based on yoga and karma are simply on a suicidal course—
"O lotus-eyed one, the swans (topmost pure devotees, paramahamsas) take refuge in Your ecstasy-yielding lotus feet. O Universal Lord, those who do not accept the joy of the shelter of Your lotus feet and pursue the paths of abstract liberation and mundane acquisition—such persons are devastated by Your deluding potency."

sri-krsna-charana-saranagateh parama-sadhyatvam—
na naka-prstham na cha sarva-bhaumam
na paramesthyam na rasadhipatyam
na yoga-siddhir apunar-bhavam va
vanchhanti yat pada-rajah prapannah [25]

Bha: 10.16.37

Full refuge in the lotus feet of Sri Krishna is the supreme objective—
"Those souls who have taken refuge in the dust of Your lotus feet have no desire to attain heaven, universal dominion, the post of Lord Brahma, sovereignty over the earth, yogic perfections, or liberation."

hari-prapannanam anya-nistara-samarthyam-atmaramanam api hari-pada-prapattis cha—
yat pada-samsrayah suta, munayah prasamayanah
sadyah punanty upasprstah, svardhuny-apo 'nusevaya [26]

Bha: 1.1.15

Souls surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord Hari are competent to deliver others, and the fully self-satisfied souls also surrender to the Lord's lotus feet—
"The slightest association with the supremely tranquil sages who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord purifies the people of the world; but the river Ganga purifies only those who bathe in it."

sri-krsnaika-sarana naiva vidhi-kinkarah—
devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam
na kinkaro nayam rni cha rajan
sarvatmana yah saranam saranyam
gato mukundam parihrtya karttam [27]

Bha: 11.5.41

Those souls who have exclusively surrendered unto Krishna are not subservient to scriptural injunctions and prohibitions—
"O King, one who abandons all worldly obligations and wholeheartedly surrenders unto Mukunda, the exclusive shelter of all beings in every respect—such a person is no longer indebted to the demigods, sages, other lifeforms, friends and relatives, mankind, and ancestors."

tad anugrhita veda-dharmatita eva—
yada yasyanugrhnati, bhagavan atma-bhavitah
sa jahati matim loke, vede cha parinisthitam [28]

Bha: 4.29.45

The recipients of the Lord's mercy are transcendental to Vedic religiosity—
"Because of the intense love of His surrendered soul, the Supreme Lord bestows His grace upon that devotee by ushering divine inspiration into his heart. Such a devotee then abandons the preoccupation with adhering to worldly obligations and Vedic religiosity."

sri-krsna-svarupam eva paramasraya-padam—
dasame dasamam laksyam, asritasraya-vigraham
sri-krsnakhyam param dhama, jagad-dhama namami tat [29]

Bhavartha-dipika, Bha: 10.1.1

As the epitome of divine ecstasy (rasa), the Supreme Lord's original form— Krishna—is the highest refuge—
"In the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Krishna has been distinguished as the embodiment of shelter for the surrendered souls. I bow down unto that supreme refuge of the universe, who is known as 'Krishna'."

sriman-mahaprabhoh padasraya-mahatmyam—
dhyeyam sada paribhava-ghnam abhista-doham
tirthaspadam siva-virinchi-nutam saranyam
bhrtyarti-ham pranata-pala-bhavabdhi-potam
vande maha-purusa te charanaravindam [30]

Bha: 11.5.33

The matchless, unsurpassable gift of surrender unto the lotus feet of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Golden Avatara who enacts His pastimes as a great devotee—
"O guardian of the surrendered, O great personality (the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, who enacts His divine pastimes as a pure devotee [mahabhagavata]), You alone are the reality to be constantly meditated upon by the pure souls. You are the destroyer of the soul's illusion, You are the divine wish-fulfilling tree, the refuge of all devotees. Worshippable by Siva and Virinchi (Sadasiva in the form of Sri Advaita Acharya, and Brahma in the form of Haridasa Thakura), You are the shelter of all and everything, and You are the dispeller of Your devotee's suffering which originates in offenses to the holy name (nama-aparadha). You are the only boat for crossing the ocean of this material world of suffering. I do worship Your holy lotus feet."

sri-chaitanya-charana-sarane chid-eka-rasa-vilasa-labhah—
samsara-sindhu-tarane hrdayam yadi syat
sankirtanamrta-rase ramate manas chet
premambudhau viharane yadi chitta-vrttis
chaitanya-chandra-charane saranam prayatu [31]

Chaitanyachandramrta 8.93

The souls surrendered unto the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanyadeva bathe in the ocean of divine love—
"If you have a desire to cross the ocean of material existence, an aspiration to taste the ecstasy of the nectarean congregational chanting of the holy names (sankirtana), and a longing to sport in the ocean of divine love—then please surrender unto the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya-chandra."

sad-vidha-saranagatih—
anukulyasya-sankalpah, pratikulya-vivarjjanam
raksisyatiti visvaso, goptrtve varanam tatha
atma-niksepa-karpanye, sad-vidha saranagatih [32]

Vaisnavatantra

Six divisions of surrender—
"Acceptance of the favorable, rejection of the unfavorable, the faith that 'He will surely protect me,' embracing the Lord's guardianship, complete dependence on Him, and the perception of one's utter helplessness without Him—these six are the essential limbs of exclusive surrender to the Lord (saranagati)."

sa cha kaya-mano-vakyaih sadhya—
tavasmiti vadan vacha, tathaiva manasa vidan
tat sthanam asritas tanva, modate saranagatah [33]

Vaisnavatantra

Saranagati should be practiced in thought, word, and deed—
"By his power of speech, the surrendered soul declares, 'I am Yours'; in his thoughts, he knows the same; and in person, he takes refuge in the Lord's holy abode. In this way the surrendered soul passes his life, his heart filled with joy."

iti sri-prapanna-jivanamrte
sri-sastra-vachanamrtam nama dvitiyo 'dhyayah

thus ends the second chapter

The Nectar of Scriptural Word
in
Life-Nectar of the Surrendered Souls
Positive and Progressive Immortality

CONTENTS:

Preface
Publisher's Note
Foreword
• (1) Prelude to Approaching Nectar
• (2) Nectar of Scriptural Word
• (3) Acceptance of the Favorable
• (4) Rejection of the Unfavorable
• (5) Confidence in the Lord's Protection
• (6) Embracing the Lord's Guardianship
• (7) Full Self-Surrender
• (8) Surrender in Humility
• (9) Words of Nectar from the Supreme Lord
• (10) Divine Remnants of Nectar
Selected Gems