Caramaṣloka
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By Swami Harshananda
Sometimes transliterated as: Caramasloka, CaramaSloka, Caramashloka
Caramaṣloka literally means ‘the final or concluding verse’.
Ramanuja’s (A. D. 1017-1137) teachings are twofold:
- Viṣistadvaita Vedanta - The philosophical aspect of his teaching is known as Viṣistadvaita Vedanta.
- Śrivaiṣnavism - The practical and the religious aspect is called as Śrivaiṣnavism.
Śrivaiṣnavism lays a great emphasis on two means of attaining mokṣa or liberation. These means are:
- Bhakti - Devotion to God
- Prapatti - Self-surrender
Prapatti depends on receiving the rahasyatraya (‘the three secrets’) from a qualified preceptor and practicing the same. These rahasyatrayas are:
- Astakṣarmantra
- Dvayamantra
- Caramaṣloka
The Caramaṣloka is the 66th verse in the last chapter of the Bhagavadgita.[1] Though it is not the last in the section, since it contains the ultimate or final (= carama) message of Śrikṛṣna, it has been designated as such.
The verse is:sarvadharman parityajya mamekarh saranam vraja I aharin tva sarvapapebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah IIThis means:
‘Abandoning all dharmas human efforts at moral and spiritual upliftment come to Me as the only Refuge. Grieve not; I will deliver you from all sins’
- ↑ Bhagavadgita 18.66