Taking refuge in Hari

Śaranam signifies seeking refuge or shelter. Once refuge is sought, it becomes the duty of the protector to ensure the well-being of the seeker under all circumstances. In the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna: "Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam śaranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]." Krishna urges Arjuna to relinquish all forms of religious duties mentioned in the Vedas or Shastras, as they may be complex or difficult to understand. Instead, he encourages Arjuna to take refuge in Him, assuring protection and provision. In the Srimad Bhagavatam, it is mentioned that the Sanakaadi saints, who traverse the universe and have access to Vaikuntha Dham, the divine abode of Lord Vishnu, always chant "Hari śaranam," seeking refuge in the lotus feet of Sri Hari. Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikhism, states in the Adi Granth: "pathith puneeth dheen bandhh har saran thaahi thum aavo || gaj ko thraas mittiou jih simarath thum kaahae bisaraavo ||1||" Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib invites the mind to take refuge in Sri Hari, which purifies the sinful and protects the helpless. He recalls the story of the elephant saved from a crocodile's grasp by remembering the Lord with a lotus offering. Saint Tulsi Das, in the Ramcharitmanas (Sunder Kaand), depicts the moment when Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, seeks refuge with Lord Rama: "Śravan Sujas Suni Aayahoon, Prabhu Bhanjan Bhavpeer Thrai Thrai Aart Haran Saran Sukhad Ragubir." Vibhishana acknowledges Rama as the alleviator of worldly suffering and expresses peace of mind upon seeking refuge in Him.