Surrender of the Self
The concept of submitting oneself completely to a higher power is perhaps one of the most fundamental acts of true faith in any religion. Hinduism has several instances of this concept (see earlier post on Gita Summary). One of the slokas that is often recited in this context is as follows:
Or with my intellect or with my innate natural tendencies, I offer everything to the Lord!
Kaayena vaachaa manasendriyairva
Buddhyaatmanaa va prakrite swaabhaavath
Karomi yadyad sakalam parasmai
Naaraayana-yeti samarpayami
कायेनवाचा मंसेण्द्रियेर्वा, बुद्धयात्मना व प्रकरीत स्वाभावथ ।
करोमि वद्यद सकलं परस्मई, नारायणेति समर्पयामि ।।
Audio – kaayena vaachaa mantra (edited extract)
Word by Word Interpretation of Kayena Vacha
With all of my body (kaayena) and the strength within me, I speak (vaacha) or make an oath to you. With all my mind (mana) and all my five senses (indriyaas); with all my intellect (buddhii) and soul (aatmaa); and all that my outer nature (praakRitii) and my inner nature (svabhaavaa) – all the actions that they make me do (karomii) over and over again (yada-yada), I dedicate (samarpaNa) all those actions to You, the lord of lords, Narayana (naaryaana-yeti) or Lord Vishnu.
Spiritual Significance of Kayena Vacha
This concept is also referred to as Saatvika Tyaagmati (सात्विक त्यागमति) – surrender of the self by developing saatvika or the higher, purer tendencies in all areas of our lives. Maybe this can be our resolution for the upcoming New Year?
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