Shloka 44
Hari-stuti by Śrī, Brahmā, Vāyu, Sarasvatī, Śeṣa, Garuḍa, Rudra, Vāruṇī and Pārvatī
Humility, Surrender, and the Power of the Name
शेष उवाच / नाहं च जाने तव पादमूलं रुद्रो न वेत्ति गरुडो न वेद / अहं वाण्याः शतगुणांशहीनो दत्त्वा ह्यायतनं पाहि मां वासुदेव
śeṣa uvāca / nāhaṃ ca jāne tava pādamūlaṃ rudro na vetti garuḍo na veda / ahaṃ vāṇyāḥ śataguṇāṃśahīno dattvā hyāyatanaṃ pāhi māṃ vāsudeva
Ich kenne die Wurzel Deiner Füße nicht; Rudra kennt sie nicht, noch Garuda. Beschütze mich, o Vasudeva.
Śeṣa (Ādiśeṣa)
Concept: Even Rudra, Garuḍa, and Śeṣa cannot know the Lord’s ultimate foundation; refuge (śaraṇāgati) and service are the proper response.
Vedantic Theme: Parabrahman’s transcendence beyond even the highest devas; śeṣatva (the jīva as dependent) and īśvara’s ananta-tattva.
Application: Adopt humility in spiritual claims; emphasize surrender and service—offer one’s capacities as ‘āyatana’ (support) for dharma and devotion, then seek protection through prayer.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: metaphysical foundation
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated exaltation of Vāsudeva as beyond comprehension of gods (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
Here ‘pādamūla’ signifies the ultimate foundation and transcendental nature of Vāsudeva—so profound that even great deities cannot fully comprehend it, emphasizing divine supremacy and the devotee’s humility.
Although the Garuda Purana is famous for after-death topics, this verse highlights a core theological theme: surrender (śaraṇāgati) to Vāsudeva, acknowledging the limits of intellect and speech and seeking divine protection.
Cultivate humility in spiritual practice: admit limitations, avoid pride in knowledge or eloquence, and adopt a daily habit of surrender—prayerfully seeking protection and guidance from the Divine.