Purpose of surrender

A supplicant may surrender to the Supreme Lord for many

reasons. It may be the wish to be protected from dangers or
to acknowledge the Lord’s supremacy or to seek His service
or to gain the ultimate goal, salvation. In each case, the
helplessness of the supplicant and the absolute capability of
the Lord to protect and fulfil the supplicant’s wishes are
predominant features. Throughout Rama avatar, though His
inherent divinity is held under wraps, many ‘realised souls’
offer their allegiance and surrender to Him directly, said Sri
B. Sundarkumar in a discourse.

The incarnation itself is the Lord’s response to the plea of

the celestial beings who wish to be relieved of the mounting
atrocities of Ravana. The Lord promises succour to them and  out of His Sankalpa chooses to be born as Dasaratha’s son. Rama faces the challenges of life as a human being who adheres to dharma and truth to establish the dharmic way of living as the ideal for everyone. Sage Vishwamitra knows the truth of Rama’s identity but being Rama’s preceptor, he pays his obeisance by surrendering his weapons and astras to the Lord who would need them later during the fight with Ravana. Lakshmana’s surrender in the Ayodhya Kanda exemplifies the spirit of service which is the ultimate ideal for every jivatma who realises the supremacy of the Lord and the individual’s role. Lakshmana falls prostrate and holds on to Rama’s feet and looking at Sita pleads thus: I am wholly dependent on you and will you accept me as your servant?

You will not be going against dharma and my wishes to be of service to you will also be fulfilled. I shall serve you and Sita and be of help to you both.” Bharata’s surrender echoes this same spirit of reverence. The rishis in Dandakaranya surrender to Rama and wish to be protected against the disturbances to their penance caused by rakshasas.