Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 58
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
अहं सनत्कुमारश्च नारदो भगवानज: । कपिलोऽपान्तरतमो देवलो धर्म आसुरि: ॥ ५७ ॥ मरीचिप्रमुखाश्चान्ये सिद्धेशा: पारदर्शना: । विदाम न वयं सर्वे यन्मायां माययावृता: ॥ ५८ ॥ तस्य विश्वेश्वरस्येदं शस्त्रं दुर्विषहं हि न: । तमेवं शरणं याहि हरिस्ते शं विधास्यति ॥ ५९ ॥
ahaṁ sanat-kumāraś ca nārado bhagavān ajaḥ kapilo ’pāntaratamo devalo dharma āsuriḥ
Śiva sprach: Ich, Sanat-kumāra, Nārada, der ehrwürdige Brahmā, Kapila, Apāntaratama (Vyāsa), Devala, Dharma (Yamarāja), Āsuri, Marīci und viele vollendete Siddhas kennen Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft; dennoch sind wir von der māyā des Herrn verhüllt und begreifen nicht, wie weit diese Täuschungsenergie reicht. Diese Waffe des Weltenherrn (Sudarśana) ist selbst für uns unerträglich; darum geh und nimm Zuflucht zu Viṣṇu—Hari wird dir gewiss alles Heil gewähren.
FAQs
This verse begins a statement where exalted sages identify themselves, setting up the teaching that even the greatest can be covered by the Lord’s māyā, so one should rely on Hari’s shelter rather than pride in knowledge.
The grouping emphasizes collective authority and, more importantly, collective humility—showing that spiritual stature does not make one independent of the Lord’s protection.
Even if one is learned or accomplished, remain cautious of illusion and ego, and keep devotional dependence on God through prayer, remembrance, and service.