Shloka 59

Gajendra's Deliverance — Gajendra’s Deliverance and the Protective Power of Remembrance (Japa)

Devanagari script

नमस्ते पुण्डरीकाक्ष भक्तानामभयप्रद सुब्रह्मण्य नमस्ते ऽस्तु त्राहि मां शरणागतम्

Transliteration

namaste puṇḍarīkākṣa bhaktānāmabhayaprada subrahmaṇya namaste 'stu trāhi māṃ śaraṇāgatam

Translation

Salutations to you, Lotus-eyed One; giver of fearlessness to devotees. O supremely auspicious (and) most benevolent, salutations to you—protect me, who has come seeking refuge.

Speakers

• Unspecified in input (supplicant addressing Vishnu directly in a protective prayer).

Primary Deities

• Vishnu

Key Themes

• Śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge)
• Divine protection (abhaya-pradāna)
• Devotional theology (bhakti)
• Viṣṇu epithets (Puṇḍarīkākṣa)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "karuna", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What is the theological force of ‘abhayaprada’ in Purāṇic hymns?

‘Abhaya’ (fearlessness) is a hallmark of divine guardianship: the Lord removes existential fear—danger, sin, and saṃsāric anxiety—especially for those who take refuge (śaraṇāgati). It is both protection and assurance of grace.

How should ‘subrahmaṇya’ be understood here—does it refer to Skanda/Subrahmaṇya?

In this verse it reads naturally as an adjective meaning ‘most auspicious’ or ‘highly benevolent/gracious’ addressed to Viṣṇu. While ‘Subrahmaṇya’ is also a well-known name of Skanda in other traditions, the surrounding epithets (Puṇḍarīkākṣa, abhayaprada) anchor the address to Viṣṇu.

What does ‘śaraṇāgatam’ imply about the devotee’s stance?

It signals surrender and reliance: the speaker claims no independent means and appeals to the Lord’s protective vow. In Purāṇic bhakti idiom, this is the decisive posture that invites saving grace.