Sharanagati (Six Divisions of Surrender)

The process of surrender (Śaraṇāgati) to the Divine consists of six essential limbs or divisions. This classic framework is described in various Bhakti texts, including the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (11.676) and also earlier scriptures like the Ahirbudhnya Samhita.

Sanskrit

आनुकूल्यस्य सङ्कल्पः प्रातिकूल्यस्य वर्जनम्। रक्षिष्यतीति विश्वासो गोप्तृत्वे वरणं तथा। आत्मनिक्षेपकार्पण्ये षड्विधा शरणागतिः॥

ānukūlyasya saṅkalpaḥ prātikūlyasya varjanam | rakṣiṣyatīti viśvāso goptṛtve varaṇaṃ tathā | ātma-nikṣepa-kārpaṇye ṣaḍ-vidhā śaraṇāgatiḥ ||

Translation

The six divisions of surrender are: the acceptance of those things favorable to devotion, the rejection of unfavorable things, the conviction that the Lord will give protection, the deliberate acceptance of the Lord as one’s guardian or maintainer, full self-surrender, and humility.

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The Six Steps of Sharanagati

#	Sanskrit Phrase	Transliteration	Meaning / Explanation
1	आनुकूल्यस्य सङ्कल्पः	ānukūlyasya saṅkalpaḥ	Accepting the Favorable: Resolving to do only those things that are conducive to devotion and pleasing to the Lord.
2	प्रातिकूल्यस्य वर्जनम्	prātikūlyasya varjanam	Rejecting the Unfavorable: Renouncing anything that obstructs spiritual progress or displeases the Lord.
3	रक्षिष्यतीति विश्वासः	rakṣiṣyatīti viśvāsaḥ	Firm Faith in Protection: Unshakable conviction and trust that the Supreme Lord will always protect and save His devotee.
4	गोप्तृत्वे वरणम्	goptṛtve varaṇam	Accepting the Guardian: Deliberately choosing the Lord as one’s ultimate protector, maintainer, and master.
5	आत्मनिक्षेप	ātma-nikṣepa	Self-Surrender: Yielding the false ego, dedicating one’s body, mind, and words fully to the Lord’s will.
6	कार्पण्य	kārpaṇya	Humility / Meekness: Feeling thoroughly destitute, helpless, and devoid of any independent strength without the Lord’s mercy.