Sharanagati

The process of Sharanagati forms the basis of devotion to Vishnu in the bhakti traditions within the Sri Sampradaya, propounded by Ramanuja (1017–1137 CE), and the Gaudiya Sampradaya, founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1482–1533 CE).

Sri Vaishnava texts offer their recognition of the practice of Sharanagati.

The path of surrender (Saranagati) is open for one who is unable to follow the path of action (Karmayoga), knowledge (Jnanayoga) and devotion (Bhaktiyoga), and who has no other way of salvationVedanta Desika's commentary on this sloka offers his perspective:[1] Ahamasmyaparadhanamalayokincano gatihi tvamevopayabtuto me bhaveti prarthanamatihi Saranagatirityukta sa deva smin prayujyatam

Saranagati is a state of mind of praying to God that he alone should become the means of saving the devotee, associated with the realisation that the devotee is utterly helpless, sinful, and without any other hope of salvationThe formal ritual of Sharanagati is a Vedic and Puranic scriptural and tradition backed ritual called the Pancha-Samskara, or "the five impressions", and another name is Samashrayanam.

The individual receives the following: In the Sri Vaishnava tradition, the Sharanagati is divided into six principles: In the Gaudiya tradition, the Sharanagati is divided into ten principles [1]: In the philosophy of Vishistadvaita, the Saranagati bears 5 elements: the five limbs, referred to as angas, and the adherent of these, known as an angi.

Depiction of a Vaishnava, a performer of this practice