Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 28

Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

Devanagari script

मा भैष्टेत्यभयारावौ शालहस्तौ तरस्विनौ । आसेदतुस्तं तरसा त्वरितं गुह्यकाधमम् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

mā bhaiṣṭety abhayārāvau śāla-hastau tarasvinau āsedatus taṁ tarasā tvaritaṁ guhyakādhamam

Translation

The Lords called back, “Do not fear!” Then, taking up logs of the śala tree, They swiftly pursued that most fallen of Guhyakas as he ran away.

Synonyms

• मा: do not
• मा: Pratiṣedha-dyotaka (प्रतिषेधद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मा (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (prohibitive particle)

• भैष्ट: fear
• भैष्ट: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भी (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative); मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन (Plural); परस्मैपद

• इति: thus
• इति: Vacana-sūcaka (वचनसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; वचनसूचक

• अभयारावौ: uttering fearless cries
• अभयारावौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभय (प्रातिपदिक) + राव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (अभयः रावः यस्य/ययोः)

• शालहस्तौ: with śāla trees in their hands
• शालहस्तौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शाल (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग; प्रथमा, द्विवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (शालः हस्ते ययोः / शाल-हस्त = with sal-tree in hand)

• तरस्विनौ: powerful, swift
• तरस्विनौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तरस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग; प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• आसेदतुः: they approached
• आसेदतुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+सद् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुल्लिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• तरसा: with speed, forcefully
• तरसा: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (adverbial instrumental)

• त्वरितम्: quickly
• त्वरितम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्वरित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण (adverbial use of adjective)

• गुह्यकाधमम्: the lowest of the Guhyakas
• गुह्यकाधमम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह्यक (प्रातिपदिक) + अधम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गुह्यकानाम् अधमः)

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Balarāma
• Kuvera
• Guhyaka

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna giving fearlessness to devotees?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma loudly assuring “Do not fear” and immediately moving to protect the devotees, illustrating the Lord’s role as the giver of abhayam (fearlessness).

Why did Krishna and Balarama rush toward the Guhyaka in Bhagavatam 10.34?

In the narrative, a dangerous being connected with Kuvera’s attendants threatened the Vraja community; Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma swiftly advanced to subdue him and protect the Vrajavāsīs.

How can I apply the teaching of “mā bhaiṣṭa—do not fear” in modern life?

Remember that sincere devotion includes taking shelter of Bhagavān in anxiety; cultivate steadiness through prayer, remembrance, and dharmic action, trusting that divine protection comes in the right way and time.