Page 60 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

levels of worship in the material and spiritual world. This principle is described
in the Bhagavad-gita, “As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly.
Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Prtha.” (Bg 4.11)
Srila Prabhupada has remarked, “This is our principle that the spiritual
science becomes revealed to the devotee from within the heart according to the
degree of his surrender to Krsna.” (Letter to Ekayani -- Los Angeles 25 July,
1970)

There are six guidelines for surrender to Lord Krishna. The twelfth chapter
of Teachings of Lord Caitanya states the following:
There is no essential difference between a fully surrendered soul and a person in the
renounced order of life. The only difference is that a fully surrendered soul is completely
dependent upon Krishna. There are six basic guidelines for surrender.
The fi rst is that one should accept everything that is favorable for the discharge of
devotional service, and one should be determined to accept the process.
The second is that one should give up everything that is unfavorable to the discharge of
devotional service, and one should be determined to give it all up.
Thirdly, one should be convinced that only Krishna can protect him and should have
full faith that the Lord will give that protection. An impersonalist thinks that his actual
identity is in being one with Krishna, but a devotee does not destroy his identity in this way.
He lives with full faith that Krishna will kindly protect him in all respects.
Fourthly, a devotee should always accept Krishna as his maintainer. Those who are
interested in the fruits of activities generally expect protection from the demigods, but a
devotee of Krishna does not look to any demigod for protection. (He is fully convinced that
Krishna will protect him from all unfavorable circumstances and will supply his minimum
needs to continue in Krishna Consciousness.)
Fifth, a devotee is always conscious that his desires are not independent; unless Krishna
fulfi lls them, they cannot be fulfi lled. (He considers whatever happens as the mercy of the
Lord whether it is favourable or unfavourable because he trusts the Lord, thus he waits
patiently while strictly practicing spiritual service and maintains confi dence that not a blade
of grass moves without the sanction of the Lord.)
Lastly, one should always think of himself as the most fallen among souls so that
Krishna will take care of him. (Thus he remains humble and meek while serving the Lord.)
Such a surrendered soul should take shelter of a holy place like Vrindavana, Mathura,
Dvaraka, Mayapur, etc., and should surrender himself unto the Lord, saying: My Lord,
from today I am Yours. You can protect me or kill me as You like.’ A pure devotee takes
shelter of Krishna in such a way, and Krishna is so merciful that He accepts him and gives
him all kinds of protection. This is confi rmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.29.34) where
it is said that if a person who is about to die takes full shelter of the Supreme Lord and
places himself fully under His care, he actually attains immortality and becomes eligible to
associate with the Supreme Lord and enjoy transcendental bliss.

The most relevant symptom of surrender to Lord Krishna is steady and
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