It seems he recently received Samasrayanam (initiation). When he said that, Bhagavan began relating his earlier experiences as follows:
“When I was on the hill, some Vaishnavaites used to come there to see me. There are, as you know, two sections amongst Vaishnavaites, Vadakalai and Thenkalai. | used to speak to these visitors in accordance with their respective traditions, as I lose nothing by doing so. When, however, they thought that I was on their side and wanted me to have Samasrayanam, I declined. They believe that no one will be permitted into Varkuntam (heaven) unless he is duly initiated. I used to ask them, ‘Show me even one person who has gone to Varkuntam with his body.’ According to their traditions, they do not accept Sayujyam (absorption into the deity). They say, ‘Sri Maha Vishnu is in heaven, Varkuntam. Released souls sit around him and serve him.’ How will all find accommodation there? Perhaps they sit close together shoulder to shoulder? They alone should know. Not only that. It seems there is a mantra which declares that they surrender their all to their Guru at the time they receive Samasrayanam. It is enough if the mantra is recited and a dakshina (offering or donation) is given to the Guru. The surrender is over, and it does not matter whatever is done afterwards; a seat is reserved for them in Varkuntam. What more is needed? ‘That is the opinion of some of them. It is mere delusion to think of arpana (offering), so lightly. Arpana means that the mind gets merged in the self and becomes one with it. It means that it should become devoid of all vasanas. And that will not come about unless there is self- effort and God’s Grace. God’s force cannot get hold of you and drag you into itself unless you surrender completely.
But where is the question of our surrendering? The self itself is to be surrendered.