Shloka 18

Devanagari script

समेत्य समहेन्द्रा श्ष भयान्मन्त्र प्रचक्रिरे शरण्यं शरणं देव॑ नारायणमजं विभुम्‌

Transliteration

sametya saha-indrāś ca bhayān mantraṁ pracakrire | śaraṇyaṁ śaraṇaṁ devaṁ nārāyaṇam ajaṁ vibhum ||

Translation

Gathering together, and even Indra and the other gods—alarmed by fear—devised a sacred plan. They took refuge in Nārāyaṇa, the divine protector, the unborn and all-pervading Lord, as their ultimate shelter.

Word by Word

• समेत्य: having assembled/coming together
• समेत्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-इ (गम्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), कर्तरि

• समहेन्द्राः: the Indras together (i.e., the gods headed by Indra)
• समहेन्द्राः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: समहेन्द्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• भयात्: from fear
• भयात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय
• Form: Neuter, Ablative, Singular

• मन्त्रं: a counsel/plan
• मन्त्रं: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• प्रचक्रिरे: they devised/formed
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-चर्
• Form: लिट् (perfect), परस्मैपदम्, Third, Plural

• शरण्यम्: the refuge-giving (one), worthy of refuge
• शरण्यम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• नारायणम्: Nārāyaṇa
• नारायणम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अजम्: unborn
• अजम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अज
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• विभुम्: all-pervading, mighty
• विभुम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विभु
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

लोगश उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Devas (gods)
• Nārāyaṇa

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

When even the gods are overcome by fear, the highest remedy is śaraṇāgati—taking refuge in the supreme protector. The verse emphasizes Nārāyaṇa as the unborn, all-pervading source of security and right order.

What is happening in the narrative?

Indra and the other gods, troubled by a fearful situation, assemble and formulate a course of action. Their decisive step is to seek protection and guidance from Nārāyaṇa, acknowledging him as the ultimate refuge.