Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 21
Lord Rāmacandra’s Charity, Sītā’s Departure, and the Lord’s Return to Vaikuṇṭha
यस्यामलं नृपसद:सु यशोऽधुनापि गायन्त्यघघ्नमृषयो दिगिभेन्द्रपट्टम् । तं नाकपालवसुपालकिरीटजुष्ट- पादाम्बुजं रघुपतिं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ २१ ॥
yasyāmalaṁ nṛpa-sadaḥsu yaśo ’dhunāpi gāyanty agha-ghnam ṛṣayo dig-ibhendra-paṭṭam taṁ nākapāla-vasupāla-kirīṭa-juṣṭa- pādāmbujaṁ raghupatiṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadye
Lord Rāmacandra’s spotless name and fame, which vanquish all sinful reactions, are celebrated in all directions, like the ornamental cloth of the victorious elephant that conquers all directions. Great saintly persons like Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi still glorify His characteristics in the assemblies of great emperors like Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira. Similarly, all the saintly kings and all the demigods, including Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā, worship the Lord by bowing down with their helmets. Let me offer my obeisances unto His lotus feet.
FAQs
This verse models śaraṇāgati by explicitly surrendering to Raghu-pati (Śrī Rāma), whose lotus feet are revered by both celestial and earthly rulers and whose fame destroys sin.
It emphasizes Rāma’s supreme sovereignty and purity: even the highest authorities—heavenly guardians and earthly monarchs—bow to Him, placing their crowns at His lotus feet in reverence.
By regularly hearing and chanting the spotless glories of Śrī Rāma and practicing surrender—seeking divine refuge over ego, status, or worldly power—one gains purification and steadiness in dharma.