Charama Shlokam- Rama Charama Shlokam, Krishna Charama Shlokam

The Rama Charama Shlokam can be found in the Ramayana. This shloka is given to us by Lord Rama when Vibhishana approaches Rama and asks to be a part of his army.

When Vibhishana approached Lord Rama to be a part of his army, Lord Rama asks the senior members of his army as to whether or not to accept his proposal. Lord Rama asks Sugriva, Nal, Neel, Angad, and Jambavan. All of them refuse to accept Vibhishana saying he was Ravana’s brother. Finally, Lord Rama asked Hanuman for his opinion as he had traveled to Lanka and had seen the situation at ground zero. Hanuman tells the Lord that among all the people he had seen in Lanka, Vibhishana was the only truly trustworthy person.He told the Lord that he was a true bhaktaand the Lord could wholeheartedly trust him and harbor him. This is when the Lord gave us the second Charama Shlokam.

The Rama Charama Shlokam is as follows,

The meaning of the shloka is as follows,

To all those beings that fully seek My shelter and plead for My mercy, and say I am yours, I shall certainly offer My protection to all of them. This is My vow.

The Krishna Charama Shlokam is considered to be the most revered among the three Charama Shlokas. It has been given commentary by many scholars from across different countries and across time immemorial.

This Charama Shlokam can be found in Bagavadh Gita, the divine discourse given to Arjuna by Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna becomes overcome by emotion upon seeing members of his family in the opposition’s army. It is then that Lord Krishna tells Arjuna about Karma Yogam, Jnana Yogam, Bhakti Yogam and various other methods on how to lead life. As a final commandment, the Lord tells Arjuna the Charama Shlokam, which is the principle guiding factor of Sri Vaishnava philosophy.

The Shloka is as follows,

The meaning of the shloka is as follows,

Give up all (the other) dharmas and seek Me alone and My refuge. I will absolve you of all sins and liberate you. Do not despair.

The Lord here tells Arjuna, if one is not able to adhere to the principles of Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti, but in all profound heart surrenders his belief to the Lord, He will grant liberation from the cycle of life and death. Thus, Sri Ramanujacharya, the preceptor and guru to all Sri Vaishnavas, tells his followers to take part in or total surrender to the Lord to be relieved from the cycle of rebirth.