The Bhagavad-gita (18.66) concludes by calling upon us to surrender to Krishna. To some of us, the word “surrender” may conjure images of a defeated military general reluctantly and resentfully giving up a lost fight. The Gita’s understanding of surrender is totally different: it connotes a voluntary offering of our heart’s love to Krishna expressed by harmonizing our human will with his divine will.

How do we surrender to Krishna as we fight our many battles in the course of daily life? Do we quit those battles or do we keep fighting?

The essence of surrender is to do Krishna’s will. That may sometimes require persevering in a battle and sometimes require putting aside a battle. What we do specifically is not as important as the consciousness in which we do it. When we surrender to Krishna, we hand our will to him and ask him to use us as he sees fit. The resulting divine connection helps us see the situation from a higher perspective. With that raised consciousness, we discover in life's battles hidden opportunities to experience Krishna’s love for us and to express our love for him. Tapping those opportunities is the heart of surrender.

Thus, surrender is not about giving up: abandoning a battle unwillingly. It is about going up: raising our consciousness willingly to connect with and become an instrument of Krishna’s will. By going up,we naturally grow up in our relationship with Krishna, which is far more important than engagement in or withdrawal from our daily battles. By surrendering, we win the far greater battle within us and march towards life’s ultimate victory: attainment of love for Krishna and return to his eternal abode. 

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Text 66

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”