Shloka 52

Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense

Devanagari script

अलब्धनाथ: स सदा कुतश्चित् सन्त्रस्तचित्तोऽरणमेषमाण: । देवं विरिञ्चं समगाद्विधात- स्त्राह्यात्मयोनेऽजिततेजसो माम् ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

alabdha-nāthaḥ sa sadā kutaścit santrasta-citto ’raṇam eṣamāṇaḥ devaṁ viriñcaṁ samagād vidhātas trāhy ātma-yone ’jita-tejaso mām

Translation

With a fearful heart, Durvāsā Muni searched here and there for shelter; but finding none, he finally approached Deva Viriñci, Lord Brahmā, and pleaded, “O self-born lord, protect me from the blazing Sudarśana cakra sent by Bhagavān Ajita.”

Synonyms

• अलब्ध-नाथः: without a protector
• अलब्ध-नाथः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-लब्ध (√लभ् + क्त) + नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom, Singular); बहुव्रीहि (one who has not obtained a protector)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kala (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (adverb of time: always)

• कुतश्चित्: from somewhere
• कुतश्चित्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कुतः (अव्यय) + चित् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अनिश्चित-देश-अव्यय (indefinite adverb: from somewhere/anywhere)

• सन्त्रस्त-चित्तः: terrified at heart
• सन्त्रस्त-चित्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्√त्रस् (धातु) + चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom, Singular); बहुव्रीहि (one whose mind is terrified)

• अरणम्: refuge/shelter
• अरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

• एषमाणः: seeking
• एषमाणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √इष् (धातु)
• Form: शानच्-प्रत्यय (वर्तमान कृदन्त/Present middle participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom, Singular): ‘seeking’

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• विरिञ्चम्: Viriñca (Brahmā)
• विरिञ्चम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरिञ्च (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular); ब्रह्मणः नाम

• समगात्: went/approached
• समगात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्√गम् (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (3rd person singular)

• विधातः: O Creator
• विधातः: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन (Masculine, Vocative, Singular)

• त्राहि: protect (me)!
• त्राहि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √त्रा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (2nd person singular)

• आत्म-योने: O self-born one
• आत्म-योने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + योनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन (Masculine, Vocative, Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (O self-born)

• अजित-तेजसः: of the unconquerable splendor (one)
• अजित-तेजसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अजित (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (Masculine, Genitive, Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (of one whose splendor is unconquered)

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, द्वितीया, एकवचन (1st person pronoun, Accusative, Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā (Viriñca)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about taking shelter (śaraṇāgati) when afraid?

This verse shows a person, unable to find protection anywhere, becoming fearful and then seeking refuge by approaching Brahmā—highlighting the instinct to seek higher shelter when worldly supports fail.

Why did he approach Brahmā (Viriñca) for protection in this verse?

Because Brahmā is the cosmic creator and a powerful authority in the universe; in distress, he sought help from the highest accessible protector, admitting he was being overcome by an unconquerable potency.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

When anxiety rises and ordinary solutions fail, the verse encourages turning toward genuine spiritual shelter—seeking guidance, prayer, and disciplined devotion rather than remaining trapped in fear.