Self Surrender and 'Anukulya''

 Here, in Lakshmi Tantra, an ancient  Vaishnava Agama Shakta Grantha, the tormented soul is assured of emancipation, liberation, by a simple method. When Shakra (Indra) asks Devi Lakshmi about the means of salvation for the tormented soul, the jiva struggling in the vast ocean of samsara, like a passenger trapped in a leaky boat on a stormy day (see Gita: vayurnaavamivambhasi...), Devi reveals the secret method of 'Self-surrender' as the solution. However, it is not that easy, as can be seen from the following dialogue (quoted from the Text in an abridged form). In tell her the means of redemption of the tormented jiva. In fact, it is not what Devi Lakshmi is revealing the secret on Her own! "Devi says: "Once on beholding the tormented living beings, I pleaded with the God of gods: Adorable one, lord, God of the gods, master of the world, and my beloved O Achyuta, O Govinda, Supreme Pundarikaksha, the guide for crossing the treacherous and shoreless ocean of samsara, thou who art responsible for the four states of existence.. .. manifest and the unmanifest, the knower and time Vasudeva, lord of the universe, Samkarshana, Pradyumna, O exquisitely beautiful, Lord Narayana, these living beings are all drowned in the ocean of suffering. O Lord, by what device thinkest thou they can be saved?(Verses  40-47)

 Thus addressed, the God of gods answered with a smile: O Lotus-seated, lotus-born lotus-goddess, i have devised methods whereby these souls may be liberated, such as, performing the rites and  following the precepts of Samkhya and yoga according to sacred texts. (Verse 48-49)

Again, Devi requests thus: "O merciful Janardana, disclose to me  who prostrate myself before thee the method that thou, in my compassion, has devised to rescue living beings."(Verse 54)

  Shakra. I salute thee, O Great Goddess, what is this 'anukulya'?(verse 65)

Devi replies: 'Anukulya' entails being benevolently disposed towards all beings on the conviction that "I exist in all beings" One should always be favorably disposed towards all beings, just as one is towards me, likewise all forms of hostility towards living beings should be dropped". (verse 66-67).