Shloka 14

Bhakti–Akṣara-Upāsanā-Viveka

Devotion to the Personal vs. Contemplation of the Imperishable

Devanagari script

३३) अर्थात्‌ एक बार भी "मैं तेरा हूँ” यों कहकर मेरी शरणमें आये हुए और मुझसे अभय चाहनेवालेको मैं सभी भूतोंसे अभय कर देता हूँ, यह मेरा व्रत है।।

Transliteration

arjuna uvāca

Translation

Arjuna said: (In this passage, Arjuna’s voice frames a teaching that emphasizes refuge in the Divine as the sure ground of fearlessness and moral steadiness. The surrounding exposition explains that one who sincerely seeks protection is granted safety, and that the Lord is the imperishable source and support of all beings—hence described as the “undecaying seed” and the “treasure-house” in which the world rests at dissolution. The ethical thrust is that devotion and surrender, not mere ritual or status, lead to lasting peace and liberation.)

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'arjuna uvāca', 'definition': '‘Arjuna said’—a speaker tag introducing Arjuna’s words'}, {'term': 'śaraṇa', 'definition': 'refuge

• the one in whom one takes shelter'}, {'term': 'abhaya', 'definition': 'fearlessness

• assurance of safety'}, {'term': 'vrata', 'definition': 'vow

• solemn resolve'}, {'term': 'suhṛt', 'definition': 'well-wisher

• benevolent friend'}, {'term': 'avyaya', 'definition': 'imperishable

• undecaying'}, {'term': 'bīja', 'definition': 'seed

• causal source'}, {'term': 'avyaya-bīja', 'definition': 'imperishable seed

• the undying causal ground of beings'}, {'term': 'nidhāna', 'definition': 'repository

• that in which things are deposited (especially at cosmic dissolution)'}, {'term': 'sat / asat', 'definition': 'the enduring real / the perishable or transient (often paired to indicate totality)'}]

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna
• Bhagavān (the Lord)
• all beings (bhūtas)
• Sun (Sūrya) (as discussed in the surrounding gloss)
• Indra-loka (as discussed in the surrounding gloss)
• Brahma-loka (as discussed in the surrounding gloss)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Sincere surrender—taking refuge in the Lord and seeking fearlessness—brings divine protection; the Lord is also presented as the imperishable causal source (‘avyaya-bīja’) and ultimate support of all beings, making devotion ethically transformative and spiritually decisive.

What is happening in the narrative?

Within Bhīṣma Parva’s battlefield setting, Arjuna’s speech-marker introduces a section where the discourse (with explanatory gloss) highlights the Lord’s role as refuge and the metaphysical ground of the cosmos, contrasting lasting spiritual attainment with temporary ritual-based heavenly results.