What does sharanaagati (surrender) mean?

[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on February 06, 2021, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by Swāmi are given below.]

[Smt. Sudha Rani asked: Padanamaskaram Swami! The one who is on the path of developing true devotion must serve God without any aspiration (niśkāma buddhi). Such a person should not expect any worldly benefits (aihikamulu) or benefits in the upper worlds during their future births (āmnayamulu). With this understanding, I have the following questions: (a) Is it correct to believe that whatever happy and sad experiences I am getting in my life are all according to Swami’s wish? (b) Does śaraṇāgati mean leaving all the decisions related to my life to Swami? Can I consider my dependence on Swami during any critical situation, thinking that Swami is the real caretaker, as niśkāma buddhi? Is it correct to think that the expectation of care from Swami itself is devotion or bhakti? Please clear my confusions and help me understand the correct knowledge Swami.]

Swāmi replied: The climax of love for God is the essence of real śaraṇāgati. Śaraṇāgati also means the surrender of the devotee to God in times of difficulties or to fulfill his or her worldly desires. The second type of śaraṇāgati is done by every devotee since the devotee requires a favor from God. But it is not the real śaraṇāgati. When we are in need of some help from an officer, we show all respect and obedience towards him. That is only apparent śaraṇāgati. When the devotee’s devotion towards God is at its climax, śaraṇāgati is not expressed in any way. Yet God knows everything about the devotee who is in that climax-stage of devotion and He renders the necessary help. God does for the devotee what is good in His eyes and not what is good in the eyes of the devotee. The devotee does not bother about the help from God since the devotee’s love for God is at its climax. The devotee does not aspire for any fruit in return from God. Parents love their issues, whether they serve them in return or not. That is the true love. Such should be the devotee’s love for God. Externally expressed śaraṇāgati always indicates unreal love and the aspiration for some fruit in return. In love, there is no need of expressing śaraṇāgati because the climax of true love itself is the real śaraṇāgati.

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