The surrender of oneself to God, the Supreme Person, is the only cause of the liberation of this world.
Here are the six criteria of surrender to God.
- Accepting with determination all that is favorable to devotional service or duties to Krishna.
- Reject with equal determination all that hinders devotional service.
- Firmly believe that only Kṛiṣhṇa can protect us and that He will grant us His protection. Note that the impersonalist (the one who claims that God is a uniquely spiritual Being without form) believes that his true identity is one with Krishna, the Supreme Lord, but the devotee does not destroy his identity in this way. He remains fully confident that Krishna will protect him in all circumstances.
- The devotee must always see in Krishna his support. Those who aspire to the fruits of action usually hope to be protected by heavenly beings, but the devotee does not rely on the protection of any of them, being firmly convinced that Krishna will protect him from all adverse conditions.
- The devotee is always aware that the satisfaction of his desires does not depend only on him, and that unless fulfilled by Krishna, they will remain unfulfilled.
- The distinct being (individual and distinct from God) must always consider himself the most fallen soul of all souls, so that Krishna will take care of him.
The submissive soul must always seek refuge in a holy place like Vrindavana, Mathura, Dvaraka or Mayapour (the three regions of the supreme planet, the one where Krishna resides permanently), and surrender to the Lord saying: “My Lord, from this day on I belong to you. Protect me or kill me, as you see fit.”
When the devotee takes refuge in Krishna in this way, the Lord is so grateful that He accepts and protects him in various ways.
If a dying person takes complete refuge in the Supreme Lord, Krishna, and places himself under his full protection, then he will attain immortality and become worthy to live in the company of the Lord, and to taste spiritual bliss.
How can we reach the Absolute, God, the Supreme Person?
We should not waste our time seeking the pleasure of the senses in this world but rather strive to regain our original position in the service of love and devotion that we offer to Krishna, God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.