Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 28
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
सदस्या ऊचु: उत्पत्त्यध्वन्यशरण उरुक्लेशदुर्गेऽन्तकोग्र व्यालान्विष्टे विषयमृगतृष्यात्मगेहोरुभार: । द्वन्द्वश्वभ्रे खलमृगभये शोकदावेऽज्ञसार्थ: पादौकस्ते शरणद कदा याति कामोपसृष्ट: ॥ २८ ॥
sadasyā ūcuḥ utpatty-adhvany aśaraṇa uru-kleśa-durge ’ntakogra- vyālānviṣṭe viṣaya-mṛga-tṛṣy ātma-gehoru-bhāraḥ dvandva-śvabhre khala-mṛga-bhaye śoka-dāve ’jña-sārthaḥ pādaukas te śaraṇada kadā yāti kāmopasṛṣṭaḥ
The members of the assembly addressed the Lord: O exclusive shelter for all who are situated in troubled life, in this formidable fort of conditional existence the time element, like a snake, is always looking for an opportunity to strike. This world is full of ditches of so-called distress and happiness, and there are many ferocious animals always ready to attack. The fire of lamentation is always blazing, and the mirage of false happiness is always alluring, but one has no shelter from them. Thus foolish persons live in the cycle of birth and death, always overburdened in discharging their so-called duties, and we do not know when they will accept the shelter of Your lotus feet.
Persons who are not in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are living a very precarious life, as described in this verse, but all these circumstantial conditions are due to forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is meant to give relief to all these bewildered and distressed persons; therefore it is the greatest relief work for all human society, and the workers thereof are the greatest well-wishers, for they follow in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya, who is the greatest friend to all living entities.
FAQs
This verse portrays samsara as a perilous journey where the soul is hunted by death and scorched by lamentation; the remedy is taking shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet.
Seeing the devastation and confusion surrounding Daksha’s sacrifice, they acknowledge the living being’s helplessness in material life and beg for the only true protection—devotional shelter.
Recognize how lust, anxiety, and dualities drive suffering, and respond by cultivating bhakti—regular prayer, chanting, and choosing actions that deepen dependence on the Lord rather than sense pleasure.