Gita for Life · Questions of practice
What does the Gita say about surrender?
4 passages of the Gita on this question. Each shows what the verse says, why it belongs here, and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s explanation.
In short
Surrender is not weakness or giving up; it is the wise choice to stop relying only on ourselves and to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa, who is our real protector. We learn it in practice by approaching a bona fide spiritual master, hearing from him humbly and acting on Kṛṣṇa’s instructions.
Stop fighting alone. Take shelter of Kṛṣṇa, and do not fear.
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Admit that you need guidance
śiṣyas te ’haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam Bhagavad-gītā 2.7
What the verse says
Arjuna admits that he is confused about his duty and has lost his composure because of weakness. He asks Kṛṣṇa to tell him clearly what is best for him and says: “Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You.” After saying he will not fight, he falls silent 2.9, and Kṛṣṇa, smiling, begins to teach him 2.10.
Read 2.7 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda says that perplexities come to everyone, like a forest fire that starts without anyone setting it. Instead of remaining in confusion, we should approach a bona fide spiritual master in the disciplic succession, who can guide us to the real purpose of life.
“In every step there is perplexity, and therefore it behooves one to approach a bona fide spiritual master who can give one proper guidance for executing the purpose of life.”
Lesson
Surrender begins with honesty: “I do not know what is best for me.” That is not defeat; it is the moment real guidance can begin.
Example
A patient who insists on treating himself stays ill. The day he tells the doctor, “Please tell me what to do,” his healing begins.
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We cannot free ourselves by our own strength
mām eva ye prapadyante Bhagavad-gītā 7.14
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa says that His divine energy, made of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Him “can easily cross beyond it.”
Read 7.14 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that guṇa also means rope: the conditioned soul is tightly bound by illusion, and one who is bound cannot free another. Only Kṛṣṇa, or His bona fide representative the spiritual master, can release us, and Kṛṣṇa does so out of causeless mercy for the surrendered soul.
“A man bound by the hands and feet cannot free himself—he must be helped by a person who is unbound.”
Lesson
Willpower alone cannot keep lust, anger and greed away for long. Surrender is not giving up the fight; it is taking the help of the One who controls all of nature.
Example
A man trying to give up a bad habit by himself fails again and again. When he begins each morning by praying to Kṛṣṇa and chanting His names, he finds a strength that was not his own.
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Surrender is the sign of real wisdom
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti Bhagavad-gītā 7.19
What the verse says
After many births and deaths, one who is actually in knowledge surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, knowing Him to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.
Read 7.19 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that as one advances, one sees that everything has a relationship with Kṛṣṇa and that nothing in this world is independent of Him. This vision of Vāsudeva everywhere leads to full surrender.
“At such a time one can understand that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa's mercy is everything, that He is the cause of all causes and that this material manifestation is not independent from Him.”
Lesson
Surrender is not blind faith; it is where knowledge leads. The more clearly you see that everything comes from Kṛṣṇa, the more naturally you depend on Him.
Example
A farmer ploughs, sows and waters, but he knows the rain is not in his hands. So he works hard, and still looks up to the sky with folded hands.
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Learn from a bona fide spiritual master
tad viddhi praṇipātena Bhagavad-gītā 4.34
What the verse says
Kṛṣṇa tells us to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master, inquiring from him submissively and rendering service to him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge “because he has seen the truth.”
Read 4.34 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a bona fide spiritual master comes in the disciplic succession from Kṛṣṇa Himself, and that no one can become realized by manufacturing his own process. One should accept the spiritual master in full surrender and serve him without false prestige; yet both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned.
“Inquiries and submission constitute the proper combination for spiritual understanding.”
Lesson
Taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa happens in practice by hearing from His genuine representative. Come with humility, ask sincere questions and serve; do not follow blindly, and do not argue only to win.
Example
A student who respects his teacher, asks his honest doubts after class and helps carry the books learns far more than one who only argues, or one who only copies notes.
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Kṛṣṇa takes care of those who depend on Him
yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham Bhagavad-gītā 9.22
What the verse says
To those who worship Him with devotion, meditating on His transcendental form, Kṛṣṇa promises: “I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.”
Read 9.22 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form—to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains yoga here as Kṛṣṇa helping the devotee to reach Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and kṣema as His merciful protection, which keeps the devotee from falling back into miserable conditioned life.
“The Lord helps the devotee to achieve Kṛṣṇa consciousness by yoga, and when he becomes fully Kṛṣṇa conscious the Lord protects him from falling down to a miserable conditioned life.”
Lesson
You do not have to carry your life alone. Do your part sincerely, and trust Kṛṣṇa to give what you truly need for your spiritual life and to protect what you have gained.
Example
A small child walking through a crowded mela holds his father’s hand and does not worry about the way home. Holding on is his part; the rest is his father’s.
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Take shelter of Kṛṣṇa alone, and do not fear
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja Bhagavad-gītā 18.66
What the verse says
In His final instruction, Kṛṣṇa asks Arjuna to abandon all varieties of religion and simply surrender unto Him. He promises to deliver him from all sinful reaction, and says: “Do not fear.”
Read 18.66 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda says one should be confident that Kṛṣṇa will protect him in all circumstances, should think of himself as helpless and see Kṛṣṇa as the only basis of his progress. Simple surrender to Kṛṣṇa saves one from wasting time on so many other methods.
“One should be confident that in all circumstances Kṛṣṇa will protect him from all difficulties.”
Lesson
Do not postpone surrender until you feel worthy. Kṛṣṇa asks for it now and promises to free you from sinful reactions Himself. Replace worry with trust.
Example
Before a big interview, a young man has prepared well but is sick with worry. He offers the result to Kṛṣṇa, chants His names and walks in calmly: he has done his part, and he is in Kṛṣṇa’s hands.
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Surrender means acting on Kṛṣṇa’s word
kariṣye vacanaṁ tava Bhagavad-gītā 18.73
What the verse says
At the end of the Gītā, Arjuna says that his illusion is gone and that by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy he has regained his memory. He is now firm, free from doubt and “prepared to act according to Your instructions.”
Read 18.73 in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
Arjuna said, My dear Kṛṣṇa, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy, and I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the soul is by nature a servant, either of illusion or of the Supreme Lord. In illusion one serves lust and desires while thinking oneself the master; when illusion ends, one surrenders willingly, to act as Kṛṣṇa desires.
“When a person is liberated, his illusion is over, and he voluntarily surrenders unto the Supreme to act according to His desires.”
Lesson
Arjuna did not run away after surrendering; he stood up and acted, now for Kṛṣṇa. Surrender does not make us passive. It gives all our energy the right direction.
Example
A mother who has taken shelter of Kṛṣṇa still works hard for her children’s future, but no longer in fear: she does it as His service and leaves the result to Him.
Two ways to face life’s problems
| Relying on myself alone | Taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa | Verse |
|---|---|---|
| “I must work everything out by myself.” | “I humbly ask for guidance, as Arjuna did.” | 2.7 |
| “With enough effort I can control my mind.” | “Māyā is too strong for me; Kṛṣṇa can free me.” | 7.14 |
| “Everything happens apart from God.” | “Everything is connected with Kṛṣṇa.” | 7.19 |
| “I’ll make my own spiritual path.” | “I learn from a bona fide guru in the disciplic succession.” | 4.34 |
| “Who will look after me?” | “Kṛṣṇa protects those who depend on Him.” | 9.22 |
| “I can surrender once I am perfect.” | “I surrender now; Kṛṣṇa will free me from sinful reactions.” | 18.66 |
| “Surrender means sitting back and doing nothing.” | “Surrender means acting fully on Kṛṣṇa’s instructions.” | 18.73 |
Our reflections, each based on the verse named beside it.
Ask yourself
- Where in my life am I still trying to manage everything by myself?
- Am I ready to say to Kṛṣṇa, as Arjuna did, “Please instruct me”?
- Do I regularly hear from a bona fide spiritual master, with humility and sincere questions?
- Which worry could I hand over to Kṛṣṇa today, while still doing my part?
- Am I prepared to act on Kṛṣṇa’s instructions even when they are not what I wanted?
The essence
Surrender is the soul coming home: admitting we need help, hearing Kṛṣṇa’s message from His genuine representative, and acting on His word. Kṛṣṇa’s promise is simple: take shelter of Him, and do not fear.
Taking shelter of a guru never means blind following. A bona fide spiritual master comes in the disciplic succession and teaches what Kṛṣṇa teaches; take time to hear and ask questions, and be wary of anyone who asks for something against scripture.
The headings, explanations, lessons, examples, table and questions are ours, written to help you apply the verses. The Sanskrit lines, the verse translations and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s quoted words are from Bhagavad-gītā As It Is as published on vedabase.cc, unaltered.
All the verses for this topic
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Bhagavad-gītā 18.66
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.
Why this verse is here
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear. (18.66 sarva-dharmān parityajya...)
From the thematic compilation Bhakti, the Topmost Yoga
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 18.66
The Lord has described various kinds of knowledge, processes of religion, knowledge of the Supreme Brahman, knowledge of the Supersoul, knowledge of the different types of orders and statuses of social life, knowledge of the renounced order of life, knowledge of nonattachment, sense and mind control, meditation, etc. He has described in so many ways different types of religion. Now, in summarizing Bhagavad-gītā, the Lord says that Arjuna should give up all the processes that have been explained to him; he should simply surrender to Kṛṣṇa. That surrender will save him from all kinds of sinful reactions, for the Lord personally promises to protect him.
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Bhagavad-gītā 7.14
This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.
Why this verse is here
Those who have surrendered unto Kṛṣṇa easily cross beyond the insurmountable material energy. (7.14 daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī...)
From the thematic compilation Bhakti, the Topmost Yoga
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 7.14
Another meaning of guṇa is rope; it is to be understood that the conditioned soul is tightly tied by the ropes of illusion. A man bound by the hands and feet cannot free himself—he must be helped by a person who is unbound. Because the bound cannot help the bound, the rescuer must be liberated. Therefore, only Lord Kṛṣṇa, or His bona fide representative the spiritual master, can release the conditioned soul. Without such superior help, one cannot be freed from the bondage of material nature. Devotional service, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, can help one gain such release. Kṛṣṇa, being the Lord of illusory energy, can order this insurmountable energy to release the conditioned soul. He orders this release out of His causeless mercy on the surrendered soul and out of His paternal affection for the living entity who is originally a beloved son of the Lord. …
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Bhagavad-gītā 4.34
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
Why this verse is here
Attain jñAna from a guru, by surrender, inquiry and service
From the study outline of the chapter
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 4.34
The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult. The Lord therefore advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without following this principle of disciplic succession. The Lord is the original spiritual master, and a person in the disciplic succession can convey the message of the Lord as it is to his disciple. No one can be spiritually realized by manufacturing his own process, as is the fashion of the foolish pretenders. The Bhāgavatam says: dharmaṁ hi sākṣād-bhagavat-praṇītam—the path of religion is directly enunciated by the Lord. Therefore, mental speculation or dry arguments cannot help one progress in spiritual life. One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge. …
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Bhagavad-gītā 2.7–10
Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.
Show the other 3 verses of 2.7–10
I can find no means to drive away this grief which is drying up my senses. I will not be able to destroy it even if I win an unrivalled kingdom on the earth with sovereignty like the demigods in heaven.
Bhagavad-gītā 2.8 Sañjaya said: Having spoken thus, Arjuna, chastiser of enemies, told Kṛṣṇa, "Govinda, I shall not fight," and fell silent.
Bhagavad-gītā 2.9 O descendant of Bharata, at that time Kṛṣṇa, smiling, in the midst of both the armies, spoke the following words to the grief-stricken Arjuna.
Bhagavad-gītā 2.10 Why this verse is here
Arjuna surrenders to Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa begins to speak
From the study outline of the chapter
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains
From the purport to 2.7
By nature's own way the complete system of material activities is a source of perplexity for everyone. In every step there is perplexity, and therefore it behooves one to approach a bona fide spiritual master who can give one proper guidance for executing the purpose of life. All Vedic literatures advise us to approach a bona fide spiritual master to get free from the perplexities of life which happen without our desire. They are like a forest fire that somehow blazes without being set by anyone. Similarly, the world situation is such that perplexities of life automatically appear, without our wanting such confusion. No one wants fire, and yet it takes place, and we become perplexed. The Vedic wisdom therefore advises that in order to solve the perplexities of life and to understand the science of the solution, one must approach a spiritual master who is in the disciplic succession. …
Everyday questions answered by these verses
Related topics
Each verse is linked to this topic by a statement in our primary study source, shown under “Why this verse is here”. The verses and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words are quoted from Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, unaltered.