By

Achala Bhakthan

What does this mean?  It can mean two things.  In simple sense it refers to Surrendering to SELF or surrendering the self.  Notice the capital and small letters used to the two “selfs”.  You know capital words denote to Brahman and small letters denote to Jeeva.  In whatever way you take, the meaning is same.  Whom will you surrender to? To the SELF, isn’t it?  What are you surrendering?  The self, is not it? 

Analysis:

For argument-sake let us say Athma Samarpanam means  (physical) Death of self?  If so, what is there to surrender after death?  After death, what remains is only VASANAS.  And who is there to surrender to whom?  Surrender has to take place when jeeva is existing.   Jeeva should surrender to ATHMAN.  After surrender what is left?  No Jeeva but SELF, i.e. jeeva identity is lost and only SUPREME CONSICOUSNESS prevails.  It becomes one with it.   

Some one stated that after dealth, Jeeva merges with God.  This is ignorance. There is nothing called mixing, or merging. because then we will be thinking of Duality.  Brahman or SELF is non-dual.  IT never takes anything nor gives out.  IT REMAINS AS IT IS.  IT IS PURE ‘EXISTENCE’.

Let me explain it with a practical example.  Aadi Sankaracharya has propagated a GADAAKASA theory.  When the potter makes the pot, no space is entering from outside to inside of the pot.  What actually happens is the limitless space is getting limited with the walls of the pot and the inner space seems to be separate from outer space (Gadaaakasa,  i.e. space within the pot)..  It is not so.  The vast space gets limited and seemingly separated..  When the pot is broken, the inner space is not merging with outer space.  What happens is that the limitation goes away and the space is left free.  This is called the Gadaakasa theory.

In this context let us speak about jeevatma merging with Paramatma.  The SELF, when gets limited by MAYA or AVIDHYA (the pot wall), that limited portion, because of the coverage, functions as the jeeva bound by Maya.  When the SELF expresses through the mechanisms of BODY, MIND and INTELLECT, its characteristics get coloured and is seen by us as though dual.  It is something like when you use a goggles and look out, all that is seen is observed by you as if they are of the same colour of the goggles.  The colour change is not in the objects seen but in the object through which you see. Now, when the Jeeva loses the identity with Body, Mind and Intellect and still functions, it is pure and Satvic.  Jeeva now does not function as such and the SELF remains as it were earlier to the limitations.  Now, the Jeeva has lost only the identity with - but not - its vehicles Body, Mind and Intellect.  Then where is the question of physical death?  And if so, where is the question of one merging with the other.

 Meaning:

This losing identity is called AATMA SAMARPANAMl.   This Aathma Samarpanam is otherwise called MUKTHI.   Our Vedas proclaim MUKTHI is not death, it is relief from Bondage.

The Path:

Coming to the method, for Athma Samarpanam, one should lose one’s identity with the Body, Mind and Intellect and remain as SELF, attrtibuteless.  Our Smritis and Srutis elaborate various ways in which we can attain this.  They are Karma Yoga, Gnana Yoga, Bhakthi Yoga and Hata Hoga.  At present I do not want to enter into details of these four ways.  But I would like to add here that each path is leading to the same objective but in different processes.  Just as the Quadrangle from which four roads are divided, these four paths are suggested.  All the roads will lead to the same spot but the roads may be good, bad or worse.  Ultimately you will reach the quadrangle..  Similarly all these paths take you to the same Source.  One is not superior to other.  It depends on the Sadhaka’s preparedness and knowledge and capacity to withstand the travel.  One will reach the Source only after one loses one’s identity with the vehicles or apparatus of Body, Mind and Intellect.  Karma Yoga takes you through selfless Actions, Bhakthi Yoga takes you through self Serrender, Gnana Yoga takes you through self Enlightenment and Hata Yoga takes you through self sacrifice.  All these are having self as the base and they suggest “selflessness”. 

 Conclusion:

Now, to conclude, in ATHMA SAMARPANAM, it is this losing identity with the vehicles that is happening and the SELF shines without attributes. 

AATMA  SAMARPANAM ultimately leads to SALF-REALISATION, or ENGLIGHTENMENT or AATHMA SAAKSHAATKAARAM or MUKTHI.

Well, You have either understood fully or got confused.  Well, in both cases, I am contented (Samabhaavana). 

:   OM TAT SAT    :