Returning the soul to God

Coveting others’ belongings without their knowledge is a form of stealing that arises from seeking personal enjoyment. In the same way, the soul within us belongs exclusively to God. When people forget this truth and use the soul for their own pleasure, scriptures teach that it is akin to stealing from God — a concept known as Aatma apaharam or stealing the soul. Swami Vedanta Desika highlights this idea in “Devanayaka Panchasath,” particularly in the sloka Aatmapahara rasike.

Valayapettai Sri Ramachariar said the ultimate act of restoring the soul to God is achieved through an Acharya, a practice called Bhara Nyasam. This act is likened to a marriage: the soul is the bride, the Acharya is the bride’s father, and God is the bridegroom. Swami Vedanta Desika refers to this as Aatma Vivaham in the sloka Datta: praja from Saranagathi Deepikai. Bhara Nyasam serves as the gateway to seeking permission to serve God, both now and hereafter, signifying the highest protection for the soul: returning it to its rightful owner, God.

Surrender — referred to as Saranagathi, Bhara Nyasam, or Prapatthi — is the chosen method for restoring the soul. There are two types: Aartha Prapatthi, where noble souls achieve liberation immediately, and Druptha Prapatthi, intended for ordinary people, in which surrender is realised at the end of life. Both approaches revolve around relinquishing the soul back to God.

The unique benefit of Saranagathi is that it erases all past and present sins, frees us from bondage, and ensures liberation from rebirth. Even after surrender, if a person errs, it is believed that God offers gentle correction and ultimately accepts the soul. Thus, returning the soul to God leads to ultimate spiritual safety and fulfilment.