Charma sloka is a mantra .When it is chanted with absolute faith ,it becomes the source of maintenance ,nourishment and enjoyment to 'Jiva'and also the cause of 'Moksha'.
This mantra focuses on 'Saranagathi'[surrender]as an easy' sadhan'a[way] to attain 'Moksha'[ freedom from karma and the state of ultimate bliss].
Saranagathi is an important feature of Visishtadwaita philosophy.Those who worship Vishnu along with his consort Lakshmi are known as Sri Vaishnavas. The origins of this form of worship is traced to Rigveda, Purana's, Epics, Agamas and the hymns of Aazhwars.
Sri Ramanuja ,who lived 12 th cent AD is the most important preceptor of Visishtadwaita philosophy.
Sri Ramanuja was an erudite Sanskrit scholar . He was seeped with Bhakthi[devotion] to god namely Vishnu . He is credited with having written Navarathna's or 9 gems that reveal his philosophical thoughts , his commentaries on Bhagwad Gita and Upanishads, heart stirring prayers on Ranganatha, glorious description of Sri Vaikuntam [ abode of Vishnu] and simple guidelines to devotees.
He was convinced that god was full of good attributes and was therefore worthy of worship. The corner stone of his teachings was the staunch belief in Bhakthi[ faith and devotion] and Prapathi[ surrender to Vishnu.
This simple way to ever lasting bliss and peace can be gleaned from Varahapurana, Ramayana and Gita. The three avatars of Vishnu ---Varaha, Rama and Krishna are associated in gifting mankind with this easy way to salvation.
Varaha is the third avatar of Vishnu . He assumes the form of a boar to rescue the world hidden away in deep waters by a powerful Asura.After prising the world away from the clutches of the asura , Sri Varahamoorty assures the beseeching Bhooma devi and mortals, that they need fear none , once they surrender to him .
The two slokas preached by Varahamoorthy are known asVakya dvaya. An very easy way of performing Saranagahti.They are...
Stithe manasi suswathe shariresathiyo nareh
Dhatu samye stithe smarta visva rupam cha mama ajam
Tatsam mriyamanam thu kastha pashana sannibham
Aham smarami madhbakhtan nayami param gatim
The man , who , when his mind is in normal condition , his body not shattered and elementary constituents of the body [ dhatus] are in perfect equipoise , meditates and surrenders to me [ Varaha] , who has the world as My body and Am not subject to births , as and when the man lies like a log of wood or a piece of stone in his dying moments , even if he doesn't remember me then,I will not forget or forgo this devotee of mine and lead to attain the supreme abode!
The 33 rd verse of the 18 th chapter of Yuddakanda of Ramayana and the 66th verse of the 18 th chapter of Gita enshrines the Saranagathi principle.Vishnu in his avatar as Rama and Krishna states this clearly.
In the Yuddakanda of Ramayana, Vibeeshna the pious brother of the rakashas king Ravana , implores his elder brother to free Sita and hand her over to Rama. Rama is on the verge of landing on Lanka to rescue his wife.
His plea falls on deaf ears and serves to incite Ravana to anger . He reprimands and castigates Vibheeshana so thoroughly that Vibeeshna leaves the kingdom angrily with the following words.
"O king who forever speak pleasing words are easy to find . But one speaks useful but unpleasant words , as also the one who listens to them are rare to find".
Vibeeshna decides to seek refuge inRama whom he perceives as a good man , upholder of Dharma .An avatar of Vishnu.
As he approaches Rama's camp Sugriva the chief of Rama's army has some misgivings. He thinks that Vibeeshna being the brother of the enemy must be a spy and thereby incapable of trust . However Hanuman differs and opines that a deceitful man would never approach straightforwardly and with such obvoius friendliness.
Rama heard the opinion of all and then spoke his mind thus...
Mitra bhaveena sampraatam na tyajeyam kathamcana
Dosa yadi api tasyayaat stam etad agarhitam |
By any means I donot desert any one who arrives with a friendly appearance
Even if if he has a defect
I will accept him irreproachably ,as would all good men !
Then Rama proceeds to narrate an incident from ancient scriptures
A dove received an hunter who had killed its wife , when he sought refuge under its tree , in accordance with the rules of hospitality , by inviting the enemy to feast on its flesh!
Rama then refers to sage Kandu's admonishments to kings.....
O kings , even an enemy , who forms a cup with his hollow hands , that miserable person , who is begging and seeking refuge shouldnot be turned away.
An enemy who is arrogant , but seeks protection from others ,must be protected .
If an refugee dies before the eyes of a man who is able to protect him , the former takes along all the latter's moral merits and goes.
Reputation, strength and valour is destroyed if one doesnot protect a person seeking refuge.
Then Rama gives the following assurance [ 33 verse 18 th chapter of yuddakanda]....
Sakrid eva prapannaaya tava asmi iti ca yaacate
Abhayam sarva bhuutebyo dadaami etad vratam mama|
He who seeks refuge in me just once , telling me that 'I am yours'
I shall give him safety against all types of beings
This is my solemn pledge!
According to Sri Ramanuja the 66 th verse of Bhagwadgita is the most noble verse ,out of all of the verses in that sacred text.
If an aspirant has no capacity to to perform sadhanas like Karma, Gyana ,or bhakthi yoga , he can perform this alternate and a very simple sadhana ---enshrined in the 'TheCharma sloka'.
The Charma sloka says....
Sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja|
Aham tva sarva papebyo mokshayaishyami masuchaha||
Having given up all dharmas or rites unintentionally, surrender to me [ lordNarayana] alone ,
I will release you from all sins and grant Moksha.Do not despair or grieve!
{references ---Sapthagiri,translations of KMK Moorthy of Ramayana- internet}
