Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 15

Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

Devanagari script

तं त्वाहं भवभीतानां प्रपन्नानां भयापहम् । आपृच्छे शापनिर्मुक्त: पादस्पर्शादमीवहन् ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

taṁ tvāhaṁ bhava-bhītānāṁ prapannānāṁ bhayāpaham āpṛcche śāpa-nirmuktaḥ pāda-sparśād amīva-han

Translation

My Lord, You destroy all fear for those who, fearing this material world, take shelter of You. By the touch of Your feet I am now freed from the curse of the sages. O destroyer of distress, please let me return to my planet.

Synonyms

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• त्वा: you
• त्वा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (2nd person pronoun)

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (1st person pronoun)

• भवभीतानाम्: of those afraid of worldly existence
• भवभीतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भव + भीत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √भी (धातु) क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समूहवाचक), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भवात् भीताः)

• प्रपन्नानाम्: of the surrendered
• प्रपन्नानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रपन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √पद्/√पन् (धातु) क्त, उपसर्ग प्र)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used as noun)

• भयापहम्: fear-removing
• भयापहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय + अपह (प्रातिपदिक; √अपहृ (धातु) घञ्/ण्वुल्-भाव)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (भयम् अपहन्ति इति)

• आपृच्छे: I ask / I take leave
• आपृच्छे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √पृच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), उत्तम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (आ-उपसर्ग)

• शापनिर्मुक्तः: freed from the curse
• शापनिर्मुक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शाप + निर्मुक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मुच् (धातु) क्त, उपसर्ग निर्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (शापात् निर्मुक्तः)

• पादस्पर्शात्: from the touch of (your) foot
• पादस्पर्शात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद + स्पर्श (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पादस्य स्पर्शः)

• अमीवहन्: disease-destroying
• अमीवहन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमीव + हन् (प्रातिपदिक; √हन् (धातु) शतृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त; तत्पुरुषः (अमीवां हन्ति)

Purport

According to the ācāryas, the word āpṛcche indicates that Sudarśana humbly requested the Lord for permission to return to his abode, where he might take up his duties again, certainly in a chastened state of mind.

Characters & Entities

• Nanda Mahārāja
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about overcoming fear of material life (saṁsāra-bhaya)?

This verse calls Kṛṣṇa “bhayāpaha,” the remover of fear for surrendered souls, teaching that refuge in Him dispels saṁsāra-bhaya.

Why did Nanda Mahārāja speak this verse to Kṛṣṇa?

After being freed from a curse and cured of his affliction by the touch of Kṛṣṇa’s feet, Nanda acknowledges Kṛṣṇa as the protector of the surrendered and then takes leave.

How can I apply “prapanna” (surrender) in modern life according to this shloka?

Cultivate conscious dependence on Kṛṣṇa—turn to Him in anxiety, remember Him as the ultimate protector, and act with faith that His shelter removes fear.