The final instruction of Krishna to Arjuna - complete surrender to the Divine.
Sanskrit
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज। अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥
Transliteration
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvā sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
Translation
“Abandon all varieties of dharma and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”
Chapter 18, Verse 66: The Ultimate Teaching
This is the Charama Shloka - the final and most important instruction that Krishna gives to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita.
Sanskrit Text
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥
Transliteration
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvā sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
Translation
Abandon all varieties of dharma and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.
Commentary
This verse represents the culmination of Krishna's teaching. After explaining various paths (karma, jnana, bhakti), Krishna gives the ultimate instruction:
Key Elements
- Sarva-dharman parityajya: Abandon all relative duties and obligations
- Mam ekam saranam vraja: Take complete refuge in Me alone
- Mokshayishyami: I will liberate you
- Ma shuchah: Do not grieve or fear
The Promise
Krishna makes an absolute promise here - complete liberation from all bondage for those who surrender completely to the Divine.
Modern Understanding
This doesn't mean abandoning all responsibilities, but rather:
- Inner Surrender: Letting go of ego-driven motivations
- Divine Trust: Having complete faith in a higher wisdom
- Release from Anxiety: Freedom from the burden of being the sole controller
- Authentic Action: Acting from love rather than fear
The Path of Surrender
Surrender (Sharanagati) involves:
- Acceptance: Accepting what comes as Divine will
- Devotion: Offering all actions to the Divine
- Trust: Having faith in Divine protection
- Humility: Recognizing our limitations
- Love: Acting from pure love rather than self-interest
Practical Application
- Daily Meditation: Start each day by offering your actions to the Divine
- Decision Making: Consider what would serve the highest good
- Facing Challenges: Trust that difficulties are opportunities for growth
- Relationships: Love without expectations or conditions
"When we surrender completely, we discover that we are held by an infinite love that never fails."