Gita and Surrender

I hope you enjoyed reading https://medium.com/@viresh.garg/embracing-surrender-my-journey-fbd6733a9a68. if you have not read it, may I please request to start with that post before you read it?

Here are the Gita verses that align with my definition of surrender:

Faith in God’s Existence and Nature

1. Bhagavad Gita 17.3: “The faith of all humans conforms to the nature of their mind. All people possess faith, and whatever the nature of their faith, that is unquestionably what they are.”
   This verse emphasizes that one’s faith shapes one's character and life’s direction, reflecting one's intrinsic nature.​
2. Bhagavad Gita 9.34: “Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.”
   This verse underscores the importance of unwavering devotion and absorption in the Supreme Being, promising spiritual realization and peace.​
3. Bhagavad Gita 12.8: “Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus, you will live in Me always, without a doubt.”
   This highlights the significance of focusing one’s thoughts and intelligence on God, leading to a deep, unshakable connection.​
4. Bhagavad Gita 17.1: Arjuna questions the nature of faith when it is not aligned with scriptural injunctions, seeking to understand whether such devotion is influenced by goodness, passion, or ignorance​
5. Bhagavad Gita 18.64: “O Arjuna! Listen again to My supreme word, the most profound of all. You are dear to me and faithful. Therefore, I shall tell you what is for your good.”
   This verse signifies God’s assurance and guidance to the faithful, highlighting the intimate relationship between the devotee and the divine.

Divine Relationship and Karma as per His Will

1. Bhagavad Gita 2.47: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.”
2. Bhagavad Gita 3.14: “All living beings subsist on food, which is produced by rain. Rains are produced by the performance of yajña [sacrifice], and yajña is born of Karma.”
   This verse connects the cycle of nature with human actions, emphasizing that prosperity and well-being depend on performing one’s duties.
3. Bhagavad Gita 3.19: “Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment, one attains the Supreme.”
   This verse underscores the importance of acting according to duty without attachment, leading to spiritual growth and liberation.
4. Bhagavad Gita 3.27: “The soul, bewildered by the influence of false ego, thinks itself to be the doer of activities that are, in actuality, carried out by the three modes of material nature.”
   This verse emphasizes that actual knowledge involves recognizing that actions are carried out by the modes of material nature, not by the self
5. Bhagavad Gita 18.47: “It is better to perform one’s own dharma, even if imperfectly than to perform another’s dharma perfectly. By fulfilling the duties inherent in one’s nature, one does not incur sin.”
   This verse advises individuals to follow their own duties and nature rather than trying to excel in another’s duties, highlighting the importance of authenticity in action.

Surrender & Equanimity in Outcome

1. Bhagavad Gita 2.48: “Be steadfast in the performance of your duty, O Arjun, abandoning attachment to success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yog.” This verse teaches the importance of focusing on one’s duties without attachment to the results, cultivating a balanced state of mind.
2. Bhagavad Gita 18.62: “Flee unto Him for shelter with all thy being, O Bharata; by His Grace, thou shalt obtain supreme peace, the everlasting dwelling-place.” This verse encourages complete surrender to God, emphasizing that true peace and ultimate liberation come from entrusting oneself entirely to the divine
3. Bhagavad Gita 18.66: “Abandoning all duties, come unto Me alone for shelter; sorrow not, I liberate thee from all sins.” This highlights the ultimate act of surrender, where one relinquishes all other responsibilities and seeks refuge in God alone, trusting in His protection and guidance
4. Bhagavad Gita 18.10: “People who are situated in sāttvic renunciation are not miserable in disagreeable circumstances; nor do they get attached to situations that are agreeable to them.” This verse describes the ideal state of equanimity, where one remains undisturbed by life’s ups and downs, maintaining inner peace and composure
5. Bhagavad Gita 2.38: “Treating victory and defeat, pleasure and pain alike, engage in battle for the sake of duty. Thus, you will not incur sin.” This verse emphasizes performing one’s duty with a balanced mind, free from attachment to outcomes, ensuring that selfish motives do not bind one’s actions.

Dedication and Gratitude

1. Bhagavad Gita 3.9: “Work done as a sacrifice for the Supreme must be performed; otherwise, work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way, you will always remain free from bondage.”
   This verse emphasizes performing one’s duties as an offering to the divine, thereby fostering a sense of dedication and gratitude towards a higher purpose.
2. Bhagavad Gita 2.47: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.”
   It teaches the principle of Nishkama Karma, encouraging individuals to dedicate their actions to the divine and remain detached from the results, thus cultivating gratitude for whatever outcomes are received.
3. Bhagavad Gita 4.24: “The work is a form of worship and the person performing it is also an offering to the divine.”
   This verse illustrates that every action, when performed with a sense of dedication, becomes a form of worship, fostering a deep understanding of gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
4. Bhagavad Gita 9.27: “Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform — do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.”
   This highlights the idea of dedicating all actions, thoughts, and offerings to the divine, thereby acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the divine’s presence and influence in one’s life.
5. Bhagavad Gita 18.58: “If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work with such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost.”
   This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining consciousness of the divine in all actions, fostering a sense of humility and gratitude for the guidance and support received from the divine.

Self Awareness and Growth

1. Bhagavad Gita 6.5: “Let a man lift himself by his own self alone and let him not lower himself; for this self alone is the friend of oneself and this self alone is the enemy of oneself.”
   This verse underscores the importance of self-discipline and self-awareness. It teaches that one’s mind can be both a friend and an enemy, depending on how it is controlled and directed. The verse emphasizes the role of self-effort in achieving personal growth and spiritual development.
2. Bhagavad Gita 2.47: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.”
   This verse teaches the principle of detached action, encouraging individuals to perform their duties without attachment to the results. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on one’s responsibilities while maintaining a sense of equanimity.
3. Bhagavad Gita 6.6: “For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.”
   This verse highlights the dual nature of the mind and the importance of mastering it. By controlling the mind, one can achieve inner peace and clarity, which is essential for personal growth.
4. Bhagavad Gita 13.8–12: These verses list the qualities necessary for self-realization, including humility, non-violence, patience, honesty, and self-control. The Gita teaches that cultivating these virtues leads to greater self-awareness and spiritual growth.
5. Bhagavad Gita 4.38: “In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has achieved this enjoys the self within himself in due course of time.”
   This verse emphasizes the transformative power of knowledge and self-realization, encouraging individuals to seek wisdom and understanding as a means to achieve inner peace and fulfillment.