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hindu-devotionWe're still mapping where this idea was first discussed. Key passages and related ideas below.

Self-Surrender (Prapatti / Śaraṇāgati)

Casting yourself wholly on God's grace — the surrender open even to those who can do nothing else.

Prapatti is complete self-surrender — throwing oneself entirely on God's grace, trusting the Lord to do what one cannot do for oneself. In the Śrī-Vaiṣṇava tradition it is taught as a path open to everyone, including those who cannot manage the demanding discipline of sustained devotional meditation: one simply takes refuge, holding nothing back. It became the subject of one of the tradition's most famous internal debates over how much, if anything, the devotee must contribute.

Key passages(9)

Stotraratna · Yāmunācārya (Ālavandār)

Very high

Bhagavad-gītā · Vyāsa (Yoga-bhāṣya commentator)

Very high

Śiva-stotrāvalī · Utpaladeva

High

Gītārtha-saṃgraha · Yāmunācārya (Ālavandār)

High

Vivekacūḍāmaṇi · Śaṅkara (traditionally ascribed; authorship doubted)

High

Gītārtha-saṃgraha · Yāmunācārya (Ālavandār)

High

Chāndogya Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

High

Śiva-stotrāvalī · Utpaladeva

High

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

High