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:

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?

Send this page to a friend

Did this article help you understand these slokas? Maybe you can contribute a better interpretation? Please share with fellow readers in the comments. Thanks!