Niyams

To read about Yams , here is the link :

And now let us know about the Niyams of Patanjali Yoga Sutras https://shakunkimatrai.com/?s=Yams+and+niyams

So today we start getting acquainted with the Niyams .
We have completed learning about the Yams .
Yams tell us what not to do in our relationship with the world.
They are restraints—the qualities that prevent us from harming ourselves and others.

Niyamas tell us what to do to cultivate our inner life.
They are observances—the habits and disciplines that help us grow spiritually.

Yams are like removing weeds from a garden.
Niyamas are like watering and nurturing the flowers.

Yamas is How I behave towards the world.
Niyamas teaches us about How to take care of myself, body, mind, and spirit.
This naturally leads into the five Niyamas:

1 Shaucha – Cleanliness , Purity
2 Santosha – Contentment
3 Tapas – Disciplined effort
4 Svadhyaya – Self-study and study of the scriptures

Ishvara Pranidhana Surrender to the Divine.

Let’s talk about the first Niyam.
Shaucha means keeping ourselves clean—not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally.

Physical cleanliness includes caring for our body, our surroundings, and what we eat.

Mental cleanliness means letting go of negative thoughts such as anger, jealousy, greed, and resentment.

A clean body promotes health, but a clean mind promotes peace. Both prepare us for a happier and more spiritual life.
“Cleanliness is not just about washing the body; it is about purifying the mind so that our true nature can shine through.”
What do you think?

Anonymous says :
Thats true .
Yams are
like preparing the soil before sowing the seed ie removing weeds from a garden …
And as you say, Niyamas are like watering and nurturing the flowers…

Aasha says :
True 👍, but this has to begin at a very early stage in life. These values need to be passed down by our elders. In the olden days, many of us lived in joint families. Our parents taught us to keep our bodies clean, and our grandparents often sat with us, teaching us how to live with kindness, contentment, and good values.

That is how negative qualities like anger, greed, and jealousy were gradually replaced by positive thinking. They taught us to be content with what we had because they themselves lived happily with little, or just enough.

Our minds were polished in those early years. Somehow, over time, that sheen wore off a little, but those values are still within us. We still have the awareness and presence of mind to recognise when we have gone astray and gently bring ourselves back to the right path.

I, Shakun say:
I feel that values learnt in childhood become our inner compass. Life may test us, and we may occasionally lose our way, but if those values were deeply rooted, they help us find our way back.
Sanskaras ! Remember?

Lakhi believes that :
We often become angry when someone does wrong or when someone hurts us. But before judging others, we should ask ourselves: Have I never made mistakes? Even if we have not acted wrongly, we may have done so in thought.

We then can only pray for their transformation, and, if we can, help them with compassion.

Anger rarely changes anyone—it usually creates more anger.
True merit lies not in condemning others, but in helping them grow with love and understanding.

I, Shakun would add:
We should also ask ourselves , could I have done something that contributed to their hurtful behaviour?

Now today we learn about Santosha
(Contentment)
It is the second of Patanjali’s Niyamas.

In simple words:
Santosha means accepting the present moment with gratitude, while continuing to do our best.
It does not mean laziness, lack of ambition, or giving up. We still work sincerely, but our happiness does not depend on getting what we want.

“Do your best, accept the result, and remain at peace.”

When we practise Santosha:

We complain less.
We compare ourselves less with others.
We become grateful for what we have.
Our mind becomes calm and joyful.
As Patanjali says in the Yoga Sutras
“From contentment comes unsurpassed happiness.”
Contentment is not having everything we want; it is appreciating everything we have while doing our duty with a peaceful heart.
Today, people spend enormous amounts of time, money, and energy attending workshops, reading books, and searching for peace. Yet, more than 2,000 years ago, Patanjali gave us a simple path: practise Santosha—contentment.

So I leave you with two questions:

Are you truly peaceful?

Can you put your head on the pillow at night and sleep with a quiet mind?

If the answer is no, perhaps it is not more information we need, but more practice of the timeless wisdom Patanjali has already given us 🙏

Vanisha says:
Yeah,I agree…even though the truth is not acceptable,one should at least try to assess oneself.
If we even try to change a bit the world will see the multifold effects.
A little change is always better than to defend, justify the actions.
I feel silence the best medium to assess oneself.

Aasha says: Santosha means contentment with what we have, without greedily or restlessly craving more. It does not mean giving up effort or ambition. We should continue to work sincerely and do our best, but with the understanding that what comes to us is what is meant for us.
As the saying goes: Work to satisfy your needs, not your greed.

I, Shakun agree and say:
To me, Santosha is not the end of effort but the end of inner restlessness.
We continue to work, grow, and serve, but without being driven by endless craving. We do our best, accept the results with gratitude, and let contentment coexist with sincere effort.
Isn’t there a saying which says :
In the world, there is enough for every one’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed !

Vanisha says:
I completely agree with the meaning of Santosha. We often fail to appreciate what we already have and keep chasing what we lack.

The day we truly value our life—even the simple gift of each breath we take—we begin to experience real Santosha.

So often, we sacrifice today’s happiness by worrying about a future we may never even live to see.
It isn’t easy, but it is something we must practise every day.

We overlook the many small joys that life offers while worrying about the few things we don’t have, and in doing so, we spoil what is already ours.

As a gentle reminder to ourselves: “Don’t worry. Be happy—in this moment.” 😊

I, Shakun say:
I think Santosha starts with gratitude. When we notice and appreciate the many blessings we already have—even something as simple as our next breath—the mind naturally feels more at ease. We can still do our best and keep moving forward, but without making our happiness depend on getting more.

Being fully present in the moment is probably the truest expression of Santosha. 😊

On a funny note I read: why should I sleep when I have so many things to worry about that I have zero control over! 😂
Thankfully, Santosha reminds us to smile, let go, and sleep well!

Nisha says:
the funny note was too funny 😂
And Santosha, true contentment, is our gift back to God in gratitude for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Gratitude brings us back to that state of contentment. Whenever we get distracted by the ups and downs of life, we can return to our breath, become still, and rest in gratitude. That itself is our offering to God for His countless blessings. 🙏
I, Shakun say:
I also feel that gratitude is one of the quickest ways to return to Santosha. The mind may wander towards what is missing, but the heart becomes content the moment it remembers all that has already been given. Contentment and gratitude seem to nourish each other.
And today in the ‘Instant gratification ka zamana’ let us achieve peace instantly, when challenged by the ‘downs of life’ by remembering upon all that we can be grateful for… Islam urges it’s followers to pray five times a day, the Brahmakumaris have a bell coming on at regular intervals, to pause, meditate and maybe look up to the Lord in gratitude. Could not we do that as a routine?

Sapna says to looking up to the Lord in gratitude and prayer at regular intervals:

Absolutely!
Actually, this is something we should be living 24/7—gratitude and remembrance of God. To me, that’s the best way to live. It doesn’t mean we stop having fun or neglect our responsibilities. My Guru always says, practice Simran all the time. Whether you’re walking, cooking, driving, or doing everyday chores, let it continue in the background. Over time, with practice, it becomes a natural habit.
Just as bathing, eating, exercising, and going about our daily routine are automatic, gratitude too should become part of our everyday life.
For me, it begins the moment I wake up. Before taking my first step out of bed, I say, “Thank You, God,” a couple of times. Then, every evening at 6 p.m., as I mentioned earlier, my app reminds me to pause and express gratitude again.
It’s such a beautiful practice—it gently brings us back to God, no matter how busy life becomes.

Nisha says:
Ofcourse we can &’we should by all means or else we will lead a shallow empty life if one is not grateful to God & doesn’t appreciate his blessings…Shukrana is very important in life & so is meditation & prayers 🙏

Huri says:
GRATITUDE AND GRATEFUL FOR ALL KRISHNA HAS DONE IS DOING AND WILL DO !
OM!
EVERY MINUTE WE REMEMBER KRISHNA WE CHANGE, AND ARE CHARGED
WITH LOVE KINDNESS COMPASSION !

And today let us learn about ‘Tapas’ the next Niyam.
Tapas means self-discipline, dedicated effort, and the willingness to endure discomfort for a higher purpose.
The word comes from the Sanskrit root ‘tap’ meaning “to generate heat.” Just as heat purifies gold, Tapas purifies our character.

Tapas is not about punishing ourselves. It is about choosing what is right over what is easy.
It could be;
Waking up on time for your prayers or meditation.
Exercising even when you don’t feel like it.
Speaking kindly when you’re upset.
Eating with moderation instead of giving in to every craving.
*Staying committed to your values despite difficulties.
“I always remind myself that growth begins where comfort ends.
Tapas isn’t about making life hard; it’s about becoming stronger than our excuses.
Every small act of discipline shapes our character and brings us closer to the person we want to be.”
When I asked my Guru to give me a mantra, she said to me: Sincerity will be your path…
I guess that she was trying to tell me that sincerity is
more important than intensity.
I believe Tapas is simply showing up every day with sincerity, even when no one is watching.
Or writing a note for you every morning, though maybe no one will read it … 😊
I am joking , I know that you do… It is these small, consistent efforts that quietly transform us…because whether you read my notes or not, I definitely do 😊

Aasha says: True tapas is discipline, and by that we evolve and with practice we can be closer to our goal of achieving Guru Kripa 🙏 it requires patience and dedication and years of devotional practice.

Anonymous says:
Tapas is also releasing yourself from the bondage of what you made yourself a slave to .
Is it also sublimation for a higher purpose ? I sublimate ( give up ) till I geta mannat.
( In English, “mannat” translates to a vow, wish, or prayer to God. It typically refers to a promise made to a deity or saint to perform a good deed in exchange for the fulfillment of a specific desire or request)

I,Shakun say:
Of course, a mannat can become Tapas if, during that period, a person genuinely grows in discipline, faith, and self-mastery. But the essence of Tapas is inner transformation, not bargaining with the Divine. 🙏

Our scriptures also remind us that even performing Tapas with the desire for enlightenment is still a desire. The ultimate purpose of Tapas is not to acquire something—even something as exalted as enlightenment—but to become free of all desires and attachments.

Yet spirituality is a journey. We begin by replacing our lower desires with higher ones. As our understanding deepens, even those higher desires naturally fall away, leaving only contentment, surrender, and the joy of simply being.

Perhaps that is the highest Tapas—not asking God for anything, but allowing God to transform us into the person we are meant to be. 🙏

Aasha says:
🙏 true we need to just surrender and leave it to God to do what is best for us 😇🙏
Nisha says :
i believe one should always accept what God has planned for you …when you are leading a life of love discipline & good intentions we should not expect anything from God for he sees your intentions & gives you what you deserve ..one should not manipulate or manoeuver Gods plans 🙏
This is where your famous adage ( well known phrase) comes in… ‘do your best & leave the rest’ to God 🙏
as long as there is needs, desires wants, mannats, one can never attain true santosha or contentment.

Deepika says:
Tapas is a difficult path it fights all your laziness and ones procrastinations ..
And all the inner demons .
Tapas rewards are immense.
I now follow a rule of 5,4,3,2,1from Mel Robbins rule of self discipline

To get up…from bed
So self discipline early morning to not procrastinate, to be in bed.

The tapas for life crafting habits is easy but one does fall back many a times….this is a journey which surprises us in many ways
God helps those who also help themselves….rewards for health, relationships n contentment in living is also a tapas…. followed by gratitude.

Nothing in life is free one has to have an honest self realisation… only then one can fulfill one’s own desires and beliefs.
Have to go through the grind with discipline,visualisation,focus, gratitude, forgiveness n keeping to the self tapas in one’s actions n thoughts all the time.

I, Shakun say:
My yoga teacher used to say, “In Kaliyug, Tapas is simply accepting with grace whatever challenges life brings. We no longer need to stand on one leg in the scorching sun or in icy water. Life itself gives us enough opportunities to practise Tapas every day.”

Then every difficulty can become a spiritual practice if we accept it with patience, faith, and sincerity. 🙏

Malu says:
Omg !
Your yoga teachers perspective is beautiful. Life gives us enough.
Roshni says:
This is very true.
Shanti says :
I appreciate these divine snippets from our premees ( loving readers) that you share in the end, you give a little conclusion with sums up everything in the most positive manner, and you offer the simplest “do-able “practices…

Deepika says:
Love what you summed up tapas with.

Huri says:
WE CAN NEVER MANIPULATE OR MANAGE KRISHNA HE IS THE DO ALL AND KNOW ALL.
OM OM OM

I, Shakun say:
I completely agree. 🙏 We can never manipulate or manage Krishna. He is the Doer, the Knower, and His wisdom is far greater than ours.
That is exactly why I see the difference between a mannat and Tapas.
A mannat may begin with a wish, but true Tapas is not about changing God’s will—it is about allowing God to change us. The transformation is within us, not in Him.

And dear Shanti, Malu, Deepika, Roshni,
Thank you for your kind compliments. 😊
I often smile when people say they enjoy these notes, because I realise that I am probably their first student! I read them myself and try my best to live by what I write.
Whenever life brings physical, mental, or spiritual pain, I remember my yoga teacher’s words. I tell myself, “This is my Tapas.” This is my opportunity to learn, to grow, and to let the experience refine me.
Instead of resisting it,
I try to go through it as gracefully as I can.
Of course, I don’t always succeed—but the effort itself is part of the practice.

About making a deal with God through a mannat, we have discussed that it is not really Tapas.
Yet I also feel that if our heart longs to ask for something, who better to ask than God?

And if, in the process, we choose to practise a little discipline—to give up a habit, pray more sincerely, or become a better person—then that can only help us grow.
Perhaps what begins as a mannat may, over time, blossom into true Tapas.🙏 What do you think?

Nisha says in reply to my thankyou to my readers for their kind compliments:
‘Me too aunty Shakun always appreciate your gyaan always happy to listen to you & imbibe your knowledge ‘ 🤗🙏❤️

I,Shakun say:
Thankyou dear ❤️

Mani says:
Humans , Sages , Gurus , and God crave for acknowledgment and appreciation , in different formats , in varying degrees . All through the ages , this has been true .

I , Shakun reply:
Humans often need appreciation.
Sages are free from needing it.
True Gurus may welcome gratitude for the disciple’s growth, not for themselves.
God, being complete, neither needs nor craves acknowledgment—yet when we remember and praise God, it is our own hearts that are uplifted.
A mother may delight when her child says ‘thank you’ but she does not love the child because of the thanks.
Likewise, the Divine may delight in devotion without being dependent upon it. 🙏
Also the more grateful we are, the more humble we become.

Abha says:
Thank you Shakun
Always grateful to you…. How simply you explain the toughest of concepts.
I love reading everyone’s thoughts. Amazing how similar yet different in many ways we all think.

I, Shakun say:
I also love reading everyone’s thoughts. It reminds me that while our experiences are different, we are all walking the same path, each learning in our own unique way. We learn not only from the scriptures, but also from one another.🙏

And my reply to Vanisha:
Thank you, Vanisha. I shall not quote you because I think that’s enough praise for one day! 😊 After all, gratitude should increase (my) humility, not inflate the ego.”😊🙏❤️
But,
Thank you so much for your kind words. ❤️ They truly encourage me.
Whatever little I am able to share is by the grace of God, my Guru , Masters that came my way, my mother’s Sanskaars, and my husband’ freedom and encouragement to pursue my path..
. I am still a student myself, learning every day.
Your questions, reflections, and feedback enrich our discussions and often deepen my own understanding as well.
We are all fellow travellers Humsafars on this beautiful path, helping one another grow. My heartfelt gratitude to each one of you. 🙏🌹

And now let me share with you something that has stayed with me:
I would like to share something beautiful that Shri Morari Bapu once said.

Whenever we ask someone for help, three things are necessary:

The person should understand our problem.
The person should be capable of helping us.
The person should want to help us.

Think about it. Someone may genuinely want to help us but may not understand our problem. Another person may understand it perfectly but may not have the ability to help. And someone else may have both understanding and ability, yet may not be willing.

God alone fulfils all three. He understands our problem completely, He is capable of helping us, and He loves us enough to want the very best for us.

So, if we have to ask, why not ask God?

But remember, because He knows what is truly good for us, His answer may sometimes be, “Not yet.” Or even, “I have something better for you.”

So, in a way, God always answers our prayers—though not always in the way or at the time we expect. 🙏

If you look back over your own life, how often have you realised that what God gave you was far better than what you had asked for? Or that what He did not give you was actually a blessing in disguise?

Aasha says:
Absolutely we must trust whatever God has given us is for our own good 🙏

And now:
The next Niyam to learn about is :
Swadhyaya ,
it literally means ‘Self Study.’
Swadhyaya is the fourth Niyama.

Swadhyaya has two aspects:

Studying uplifting scriptures
( which we are doing everyday aren’t we?)
and the wisdom of enlightened teachers.
Studying ourselves—our thoughts, emotions, habits, reactions, strengths, and weaknesses.

Reading a spiritual book is only the beginning. The real question is:

“Am I living what I have learnt?”
Remember Shravan , Manan , Nidhidhyasan ( we have learnt about it)

Swadhyaya is looking within and asking:
Why did I get angry?
Why did those words hurt me?
Why am I attached to this?
What can I learn from this experience?

Every relationship, every success, and every challenge becomes a mirror in which we see ourselves more clearly.
“I believe that life itself is our greatest teacher. Every person we meet and every situation we face is an opportunity to understand ourselves a little better.
If we are willing to learn, every day it becomes Swadhyaya.”
I received this quote , a while ago which I thought I could share with you:
‘The degree to which a person can grow is directly proportional to the amount of truth he can accept about himself without running away.’

What have you understood from the above quote ?

Yesterday I had asked what we understand by:

‘The degree to which a person can grow is directly proportional to the amount of truth he can accept about himself without running away.’

Aasha says:
It means we must accept our flaws , our shortcomings and a willingness to correct them, only then will there be personal growth 🙏

Viveeta says :
This is so true . Self realization and acceptance helps us move forward .
If we don’t face the situation it will just fester within and how can one forget unless one forgives . Only by accepting our faults will we not make the same mistakes.
Also by being truthful to yrself and accepting the fact that you are what you are , one can let go so many emotions like anger , guilt frustrations , jealousy etc.
Hence introspection and meditation are so important.

Huri says:
YOU MUST LEARN TO FACE YOURSELF WITHOUT ANY HIDING

Deepika says:
Self discipline n realisation of oneself educates the inner being n this learning with every fall becomes easier n acceptable to oneself n this one can elevate within.
Writing down gratitude notes plus anger letters also releases pain.
The question ⁉️ of why n how written down can cut the pain n anger n helps one to swadhyaya in a reflective manner n the self improvement path becomes clearer.
The steps to improve also when written down and practiced in real circumstances also elevates ones swadhyaya ….many fold.
I do this every morning it’s called the mental balance sheet of your life…..in the form of a written journal.
I have seen a lot of improvement over the years in myself….and it’s still going on to writing n learning to improve everyday.

I , Shakun say :
I think journaling is a wonderful fom of Swadhyaya. When we honestly write down our gratitude, our anger, our fears, and then ask ourselves “Why did I react this way?” or “What can I learn from this?” we begin to understand ourselves better.

Writing has a way of clearing the mind. It often reduces pain and anger because we stop reacting and start reflecting.

I especially like the idea of calling it a mental balance sheet. Just as we review our financial accounts, we can also review our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Over time, this helps us recognise our patterns, learn from our mistakes, and grow into better human beings.

That, to me, is the essence of Swadhyaya—not just reading spiritual books, but studying ourselves with honesty and compassion. 🙏

Huri says
Absolutely! 😊 When we write our thoughts and feelings down, we often begin to let them go.

I , Shakun say:
Writing gives us clarity, and what seemed overwhelming inside us becomes much lighter on paper. That, too, is a beautiful form of Swadhyaya. 🙏

A thought for reflection…

“The degree to which a person can grow is directly proportional to the amount of truth he or she can accept about oneself without running away from it.”

To me, this is the essence of Swadhyaya.
Self-study is not about judging ourselves or feeling guilty. It is about having the courage to look within honestly—to recognise both our strengths and our weaknesses, our virtues and our blind spots.
The more truth we can accept about ourselves without denial or defensiveness, the more we grow.

I would make one small change to the original quote. Instead of “without running away,” I prefer “without denial or defensiveness.” Most of us don’t literally run away from the truth—we explain it away, justify it, or avoid looking at it. That wording makes the insight even more relevant to everyday life.
What do you think?

Aasha says: True we must accept our shortcomings 🙏👍

I, Shakun say:
I especially agree that silence is a wonderful space for Swadhyaya. In silence, we stop listening to the noise around us and begin to hear the voice within. That is often where real understanding and lasting transformation begin.
Do the rest of you also find silence helpful for self-reflection, or do you have another practice that helps you understand yourself better?

Happy Guru Purnima
https://shakunkimatrai.com/guru-purnima/

Deepika says:
I have to work on myself every day. I am very emotional, and everything affects me. So learning to detach and simply let things be has been a long and difficult journey.

Over the years, I have cultivated silence, reflection, and forgiveness. I have also stopped judging and asking “Why?”

Now I am learning to practise “Let them” and “Let me.”

I no longer overhelp. I have stopped giving advice unless someone asks for it. I have cleared a lot of my mental clutter. I mind my own business. I don’t react—I respond.

It has taken me a long time to reach this stage. I have reflected deeply on what I truly need, and I have realised that I simply want to be happy.

I practise journaling every morning. I don’t participate in gossip, and if a gossip session begins, I quietly excuse myself.

Today, I feel content within myself. My silence has rewarded me with all of this.

I, Shakun think:
I think this is a beautiful example of Swadhyaya in practice. It isn’t claiming perfection; it’s describing an honest journey of inner growth.

Aasha says:
💯 true, Silence is Golden is an old saying which truly resonates with me. Trying to practice it for as long as possible early morning.

Huri says:
TRULY SILENCE IS IMPRESSIVE AND IMPORTANT

Nisha says:
A balance of silence & meeting your near & dear ones but i would prefer more silence over external noise ..love to reflect meditate & journal, I get a lot of clarity when i practice these…
when you pray you talk to God & when you sit in silence or meditate you are listening to what HE is saying 🙏❤️🙏

I , Shakun say:
Prayer is when we pour out our heart to God.
Silence is when we quieten our mind enough to hear His gentle guidance. Perhaps that is why both are essential—one deepens our relationship with Him, and the other deepens our understanding of ourselves. 🙏

Aasha says:
🙏 Work in Progress is ongoing for inner peace and making room for improvement 👍
The Niyam we study today is:

Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to something greater)
After doing our very best with sincerity and effort, we let go of the need to control the outcome.
Whether we call it God,
Truth, the Divine, or the Intelligence of the universe, this Niyama reminds us that we are not carrying life alone.
Surrender is not giving up—it is giving over.
It replaces anxiety with trust and the burden of “I must control everything” with the peace of “I will do my part and leave the rest.”
What do you think
is more difficult for you—looking honestly within, or letting go of the need to control the results? 🙏

Manisha says:
I love the way you have explained it
Surrender is NOT giving up- it is giving over or handing over. It takes the burden of life off one’s shoulders.

I , Shakun say:
“Surrender is not giving up—it is giving over.”
When we hand our burdens over to God, we don’t become weak; we become lighter. We continue to do our best, but we no longer carry the weight of believing that everything depends on us.

Huri says :
Letting go of choices , no choice though !

I , Shakun say:
Sometimes life leaves us with no choice but acceptance. At first it may feel as though we have no choice, but when we accept that reality willingly rather than reluctantly, it becomes surrender. Perhaps letting go is not about having no choice—it is about choosing peace over resistance.

If you look back over your life, you’ll probably realise that, despite doing your very best, much of life has unfolded on its own. Also When you look back in hindsight, don’t you feel that life has happened through you as much as by you, despite all your efforts?”
How many of you remember what my Yogs teacher said about tapas in Kaliyug?

And something to think about for you : since we are on the subject of ‘surrender’
The Krishna of Vrindavan does not seem to insist on rituals. He responds to love.

Think of the Gopis, Sudama, Yashoda, Nanda, or even Arjuna. None won Krishna through elaborate rituals. They won Him through love, friendship, surrender, and complete trust.
The Krishna of Vrindavan never seems to ask for elaborate rituals. He asks for only one thing—love.

The Gopis had no rituals. Sudama brought only a handful of beaten rice. Yashoda tied Him with a rope, not with ceremonies but with a mother’s love. Krishna looked at the heart, not at the ritual.

This makes me wonder…

Which is easier? Performing rituals and Tapas, or truly surrendering to God?

Personally I believe that most people think rituals are often easier. We know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Surrender after doing one’s best, is different. It asks us to let go of our fears, our ego, our need to control, and our insistence that life should go our way.

Perhaps that is why surrender is considered the highest path. It is simple to understand, but not always easy to live.

…surrender is harder because it asks for the surrender of the “I”. Ironically, surrender looks effortless from the outside, but it is often the deepest Tapas of all. And that is very much the message of the Bhagavad Gita: “Abandon all other supports and take refuge in Me alone.” It sounds simple, yet it may be the most demanding spiritual practice of all. What do you think?

Aasha says: Absolutely 💯 Surrender is hard but true love means surrender !
Viveeta
says:
Totally agree . We hve to be truly selfless giving up the I . It is only when we surrender that
we will see everything in a different light .

Deepika says:
According to the law of life one surrenders to the almighty after trying hard for the attainment of one’s wish may it be material,or emotional or spiritual….not achieving it through all the above one eventually surrenders in to the hands of the Lord.

I work simultaneously with surrender and hard work and accept what is best.
If it doesn’t work out I leave it beleiving something else much better is coming my way.

It is slow and changes one’s ownself…it is a blind belief where there is no room for arrogance,vanity which develops with ego.
It is a self cleanser which lightens one path of attaining salvation.
Work hard without ulterior motive
Have shukarana
All comes to you….

True surrender is also called a sadhana
Guru ki kripa
Guru ka sandesh
One goes through all obstacals as a challenge which we want to avoid
But that is the path of surrender
According to the law of life one surrenders to the almighty after trying hard for the attainment of one’s wish may it be material,or emotional or spiritual….not achieving it through all the above one eventually surrenders in to the hands of the lord.
I work simultaneously with surrender and hard work and accept what is best.
If it doesn’t work out I leave it beleiving something else much better is coming my way.

True surrender is also called a sadhana
Guru ki kripa
Guru ka sandesh
One goes through all obstacals as a challenge which we want to avoid
But that is the path of surrender.
This is one of the most beloved stories illustrating Ishvara Pranidhana—complete surrender. While the details are told differently in different retellings and devotional traditions, the central message is the same.
When Draupadi was dragged into the royal court and Dushasana tried to disrobe her, she first tried to protect herself. With one hand she held on tightly to her sari, and with the other she called out to Krishna for help.

Nothing happened.

As Dushasana continued to pull at her garment, she realised that her own strength was not enough. She then let go of her sari completely, raised both her hands to Krishna, and cried out with total faith:

“Govinda!”

In that moment of complete surrender, Krishna’s grace flowed. No matter how much Dushasana pulled, the sari became endless, and Draupadi’s honour was protected.

Whether we take this story literally or symbolically, its message is profound.

As long as Draupadi was relying partly on herself and partly on Krishna, she had not fully surrendered. The miracle happened when she let go completely and placed herself entirely in His hands.

This does not mean we should never make an effort. We must always do our best. But there comes a point when we have done all that we can. Beyond that lies surrender—not helplessness, but complete trust.

Perhaps that is the deepest meaning of Ishvara Pranidhana: Do your best, and then let God do the rest.

Can you think of a time in your life when, after doing all you could, you simply let go—and somehow things unfolded better than you had imagined?
One small Vedantic thought you might enjoy: surrender does not mean becoming passive. Arjuna did not put down his bow after hearing the Gita. He picked it up. Surrender means giving up the anxiety of control, not giving up right action. That distinction makes all the difference.

Roshni says:
Surrender is hard because then we have to also accept everything as Grace, even what we perceive as negative situations with our limited knowledge.

I, Shakun say:
Very true. 🙏 I think that is where faith is truly tested. It is easy to call something “grace” when it brings us joy. It is much harder to see grace in disappointment, loss, or pain. Yet, with time and hindsight, many of us realise that what we once resisted became our greatest teacher.

My Guru, Ma used to say; Grace is not always pleasant.

Mani says:
Anxiety of control …. What a fine distinction !! There is a very fine line between cONTROL and surrender . Yet there is a depth so deep that can encompass eons and eons of self realisation , to reach that ultimate stage .

I, Shakun say:
“The anxiety of control” is indeed a very fine distinction. There is only a subtle line between trying to control life and learning to surrender to it. Yet crossing that line can take years of inner growth and self-realisation.

Perhaps surrender is not a single step but a lifelong journey—one that deepens with every experience, every challenge, and every act of trust.

Aasha says :
Yes “ anxiety of control “ is the key word 👍 once that’s gone our life’s outlook goes through a massive shift, and we live in surrender mode 🙏😇

I , Shakun say:
Yes “ anxiety of control “ is the key word 👍 once that’s gone our life’s outlook goes through a massive shift, and we live in surrender mode 🙏😇
Anonymous says:
😊…..it so resonated with me today I got up in the morning with exactly the same thought of LET GO n LET HIM take over…..when one comes to that stage where all you can do is surrender and wait patiently for the outcome since it’s beyond what you have done.There is meaning in the delay also…. Like the tree bears fruit at the time it has to bear.We can’t expedite it but by keeping constant faith n trust in the almighty,All will work out.🙏🙏

I, Shakun especially loved your example of the tree. We can water it, nourish it, and care for it, but we cannot force it to bear fruit before its time.

Perhaps that is what surrender teaches us—to do our best, trust the process, and accept that God’s timing is often wiser than our own. Faith is not only believing that everything will work out; it is also having the patience to wait until it does. ❤️

Huri says:
WHERE THERE IS LOVE FOR THE LORD NOTHING ELSE COUNTS.

Viveeta says: Beautifully explained and very apt comparisons !🙏

Anonymous asks: How to overcome fear? ,
I, Shakun have read;
Fear may knock on the door, but faith can answer it.
And when faith answers it , nothing is there . However
I don’t think we can get rid of fear completely. Fear is a natural human emotion.
The question is: Can we stop fear from controlling us?

First, ask yourself: “Is this fear based on a real danger or on something that may never happen?” Much of our fear lives only in our imagination.
Fear often becomes smaller when we face it honestly.
Do whatever is in your control. Once you have done your best, let go of what is not. This is where surrender begins.

Dear readers do let me know how you deal with fear I would love to hear about it. 🙏😊

Anonymous says: I can’t control feeling afraid, is it because I am getting older? Why can’t I stop being afraid?
I, Shakun say:
Please relax!
Fear is a very natural human emotion. It has been with us since the days when our ancestors lived in forests and had to protect themselves from wild animals. That is where the fight, flight, or freeze response comes from—it was designed to keep us alive.
I mean if confronted
With a tiger , you will either fight, run or freeze … and this response was designed to keep us alive. So ‘fear’ then served a purpose.
The difficulty is that today our minds often react to worries and uncertainties as though they are tigers standing in front of us. So the feeling of fear is real, even when the danger is not immediate.

The aim is not to stop feeling fear. The aim is to recognise it, do whatever is in our control, and then gradually learn not to let fear make our decisions. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is moving forward despite it. 🙏 We don’t wait for fear to disappear before living our lives. We acknowledge it, and then we continue anyway. That’s where courage begins.

Viveeta says:
I think fear affects all of us, but its intensity depends on whether it is happening directly to us or through someone we love.

In every situation, I find the only way to deal with it is to do everything we reasonably can to solve the problem, and then pray, placing it in God’s hands with faith that He will do what is ultimately best. The moment we truly surrender in this way, the burden feels lighter.

For example, if a close family member is unwell, there is naturally the fear of losing them. We do our best by consulting doctors and seeking the right treatment, but we also pray and leave the outcome in the hands of the Almighty.

I hope that makes sense, Shakun. I’m not always very good at explaining what I mean.

I, Shakun say: it makes perfect sense.
I think you have expressed a thoughtful balance between responsibility and surrender.
That is where faith comes in. Surrender is not giving up; it is trusting God with what we can no longer control. When we do our best and leave the rest in His hands, the burden becomes lighter, not because the situation has changed, but because we are no longer trying to carry what was never ours to carry.🙏

Huri says: ALWAYS ABSOLUTELY.WE DO OUR BESTEST AND LEAVE THE REST .TRUTHFULLY WE HAVE NO CHOICE SO LET US SURRENDER OR SURVIVE IN FEAR

Deepika says:
99%of our lives is spent living in fears of many types.
Emotional fears of loosing someone
Talking fear of being judged
Fear of money
Fear of heights
Fear of love…
Etc.

To overcome a fear naturally is to face the fear

Most of it lives in the imagination.
Even procrastination leads the fear to grow n the task never done.
This leads to poor self esteem n relationship with self n others.

Fear of putting on weight n loosing it

If not taken steps towards it one would never loose it.
Positive thoughts are a sec.
away.
We have to take action .
Fear is a big one in our lives n when felt
Write down what’s the worst scenario that can happen…..n it never is.
Constantly working on our fears by actually working on them lessons it n irradicates it from our thoughts.
Faith,Trust, Grateful n having God as one’s guiding light helps in facing our fear in everyway.

Mani says:
The most powerful fear is of loosing our immediate family members . I feel that as we get older that fear looses its grip on us and we get more relaxed by putting it in gods plan . I read once , that God puts fear into a mother‘s heart of losing her infant, so that her love
and care for the child could increase manifold. Also there is fear of loosing wealth , property , belongings !! This makes a person very insecure and possessive . Sometimes even to the extent of not able to part with their wealth or possessions . As a young girl I witnessed our neighbours who were very wealthy loose their fortune , parents died , leaving behind 3 siblings , the elder brother was reduced to selling matches at Flora Fountain . No one came to their help ! The only saving grace was their house was paid for , but after 2 died , the sister finally took a lodger , but she to died soon after . This story makes me think that for such misfortune , what genuine fear must be going through their minds ! Repayment of accumulated karma for parents and then children .! !

I. Shakun say:
I have read in some spiritual teachings that certain souls may choose to undergo intense experiences in one lifetime, as though they are exhausting a great deal of their karma at once rather than over many lifetimes.
I think you have identified two of our deepest fears—the fear of losing those we love and the fear of losing what gives us security. Both are very human.

Your story also reminds us how quickly life can change. We often feel we are in control, but life teaches us that nothing is permanent. Perhaps that is why our scriptures encourage us to enjoy what we have with gratitude, while remembering that everything ultimately belongs to God. 🙏

Aasha says: V true all the above examples, fear is our constant unwanted companion throughout our life, we do try to overcome it , but alas it doesn’t leave us! So we do need to pray for guidance and Gurus Grace to help us navigate this by meditation and positive thoughts and repetition of daily positive affirmations 🙏
1, Shakun say:
Dear all,

I have now completed sharing the Yamas and Niyamas with you, and I shall return after I decide about what else I would like to share.

In the meantime, if there is anything concerning spiritual matters that you would like to ask or discuss, please feel free to put your questions here. I would be very happy to explore them together.

And if anyone feels that they would like to leave the chat, please feel completely free to do so—there is absolutely no obligation to remain. 😊

Thank you to all of you for being here, for reading, and for being part of this little journey with me. 🙏