Shloka 11
दयां कुरु प्रपन्नाय तवास्मीति च यो वदेत् / अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो दद्यादेतद् व्रतं हरेः
dayāṃ kuru prapannāya tavāsmīti ca yo vadet / abhayaṃ sarvabhūtebhyo dadyādetad vrataṃ hareḥ
Wer spricht: „Erbarme dich des Hingebenden; ich gehöre Dir“, der soll allen Wesen Furchtlosigkeit gewähren—dies ist das heilige Gelübde Haris (Viṣṇus).
Lord Vishnu (Hari) instructing Garuda (Vinata-putra)
Concept: Śaraṇāgati joined with dayā and abhaya-dāna as the defining vrata of Hari’s devotee.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-śaraṇāgati and sattvika conduct as expression of devotion; seeing all beings under the Lord’s protection (sarva-bhūta-hita).
Application: Practice compassionate response to those seeking refuge; cultivate non-violence in speech/action; consciously offer ‘abhaya’ by reducing harm, intimidation, and exploitation in daily life.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): teachings on Viṣṇu-bhakti and dharma as means to auspicious destiny; Garuda Purana: sections praising nāma and śaraṇāgati (contextual parallels)
FAQs
This verse frames abhaya—ensuring safety and non-harm to living beings—as a defining vow of Hari, making compassion an essential religious discipline, not merely a personal virtue.
It highlights the devotee’s stance—“I am Yours”—and teaches that the proper response to one who seeks refuge is mercy, reflecting prapatti as a relationship of protection and grace.
Practice ahimsa in speech and action, protect those who seek help, and adopt daily conduct that reduces fear in others—family, animals, and society—treating it as a sacred vow.