Shloka 22
Viśvarūpa’s Death, Vṛtrāsura’s Manifestation, and the Devas’ Surrender to Nārāyaṇa
अविस्मितं तं परिपूर्णकामं स्वेनैव लाभेन समं प्रशान्तम् । विनोपसर्पत्यपरं हि बालिश: श्वलाङ्गुलेनातितितर्ति सिन्धुम् ॥ २२ ॥
avismitaṁ taṁ paripūrṇa-kāmaṁ svenaiva lābhena samaṁ praśāntam vinopasarpaty aparaṁ hi bāliśaḥ śva-lāṅgulenātititarti sindhum
Der Herr ist durch nichts je in Staunen versetzt; Er ist in allen Wünschen vollkommen erfüllt und durch Seine eigene geistige Vollkommenheit stets freudig zufrieden, ausgeglichen und friedvoll. Ohne materielle Bezeichnungen ist Er standhaft und ungebunden—die einzige Zuflucht für alle. Wer Schutz bei anderen sucht, ist gewiss ein Tor, als wolle er das Meer überqueren, indem er den Schwanz eines Hundes festhält.
A dog can swim in the water, but if a dog dives in the ocean and someone wants to cross the ocean by holding the dog’s tail, he is certainly fool number one. A dog cannot cross the ocean, nor can a person cross the ocean by catching a dog’s tail. Similarly, one who desires to cross the ocean of nescience should not seek the shelter of any demigod or anyone else but the fearless shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.58) therefore says:
FAQs
This verse teaches that the truly peaceful, self-satisfied devotee is the real shelter; seeking other supports is foolish—like trying to cross an ocean by holding a dog’s tail.
In the narrative, Vṛtrāsura’s devotion makes him steady and fearless even in battle; his satisfaction comes from inner spiritual attainment rather than external victory or loss.
Anchor your peace in bhakti—regular chanting, prayer, and service—so your stability doesn’t depend on changing outcomes, status, or possessions.