Welcome to Adiyen Sri Ramanuja Dasan !
" Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !"
As explained above, the first part indicates the upaya or means for salvation. The second part indicates the upeya-fruit to be attained, viz., service to the Lord.
The sloka by itself, is not a secret, it becomes a secret, because of the hidden meanings of the sloka. The meanings of the various words in the sloka are highly important. They have to be understood properly, under a proper acharya. Hence, referring to the meaning of the sloka, it is called a secret.
Different people, belonging to different philosophies, have given various interpretations. We give three meanings, depending upon the different contexts. In the commentary on Gita, Ramanuja himself gives two alternative meanings.
1) The first meaning given by Ramanuja is this: A person who takes up the karma yoga or jnana yoga or bhakti yoga, should perform it, with Immense affection to God. At the same time, he should give up the thought that he is actually doing the karma or bhakti yoga. He should give up the thought that he has got the power to do various yogas. He should give up the thought that the fruit also belongs to him (Sattvika tyaga). In other words, he should completely give up the idea that he is the doer and that he is also reaping the benefit or fruit. He must consider and understand that everything is done by God only; and it is for the pleasure of the Lord. This is the first meaning. 2) The second meaning is this. Suppose, while doing the bhakti yoga, a person has committed several sins or papa. These act as hindrances in the proper performance of the bhakti yoga. So these things have to be properly atoned for, before continuing the bhakti yoga. For the atonement for sins, the sastras have laid down several prayaschittas like kricchra, chandra-yana, kushmanda homa, etc. These expiation ceremonies themselves take a very long time and are difficult to perform. Krishna says: "Give up the various prayaschitta ceremonies, which have been prescribed in the sastras. Seek refuge in me. I will stand in the place of the various expiation ceremonies; so that the hindrances to the bhakti yoga are got rid of." These are the two meanings which have been explained by Ramanuja, in his commentary on Gita.
The third meaning is by treating this sloka as a secret. So, in the third meaning, the greatness of prapatti is explained. 'Dharman' here means various kinds of vidyas, mentioned in the Upanishads, like Sad vidya, Dahara vidya etc. Because of incompetence, because of inability to do the same, a person, in the present world, has already given up doing these vidyas, which come under bhakti yoga. In other words, giving up the bhakti yoga has become a fait accompli - i.e., the bhakti yoga has already been given up. So, having already given up the bhakti yoga, due to sheer inability; you seek refuge in God, i.e., do prapatti. This is the secret meaning of the first part. Here again different meanings are given by Desika.
Jai Srimannaryana !
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