Surrender of the Self
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.

Lord Vishnu as Venkateshwara
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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4 Responses to Surrender of the Self
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Karomi yadyad sakalam parasmai
What does “parasmai” mean? I think “sakalam” means all. Please let me know what parasmai means.
Parassmai relates in hindi to Praspar means altogether All the actions done in total – altogether.
What ever we do with our buddhi(manasa), words (vaacha), or karma (actions) ,all are blessed and ordered by the supreme God. hence naturally all of them should be dedicated to him.
Shri Ramajogarao,
What beautiful interpretation added by you – I am very thankful for the additional light that you have added to this Shloka. Many thanks,
Namaste!