Shloka 35

Devanagari script

औत्तानपादितपसा वयम् इत्थं जनार्दन भीतास् त्वां शरणं यातास् तपसस् तं निवर्तय

Transliteration

auttānapāditapasā vayam itthaṃ janārdana bhītās tvāṃ śaraṇaṃ yātās tapasas taṃ nivartaya

Translation

O Janārdana, afflicted by the austerity of Uttānapāda’s son, we are afraid and have come to You for refuge; restrain him from that tapas.

Word by Word

• औत्तानपादि-तपसा: by the austerity of (Dhruva) the son of Uttānapāda
• औत्तानपादि-तपसा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: औत्तानपादि (प्रातिपदिक; उत्तानपाद-सम्बद्ध) + तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: औत्तानपादेः तपसा/औत्तानपादि-तपसा); नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया एकवचनम्

• वयम्: we
• वयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम

• इत्थम्: thus
• इत्थम्: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इत्थम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; प्रकारवाचक (in this manner/thus)

• जनार्दन: O Janārdana
• जनार्दन: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनार्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे सम्बोधन एकवचनम्

• भीताः: afraid
• भीताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भी (धातु) → भीत (क्त)
• Form: क्त (PPP) पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (to वयम्)

• त्वाम्: you
• त्वाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया एकवचनम्

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्

• याताः: have gone
• याताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु) → यात (क्त)
• Form: क्त (PPP) पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; कर्तरि प्रयोगः

• तपसः: of the austerity
• तपसः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) एकवचनम्

• तम्: that (austerity)
• तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• निवर्तय: stop/turn back
• निवर्तय: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-वृत् (धातु) → निवर्तय (णिच्)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative) मध्यमपुरुष एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्; णिच् (causative)

Speaker

The gods (Devas), collectively appealing to Lord Vishnu (Janardana)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: The devas request Janārdana to restrain Dhruva’s tapas

Teaching: Devotional

Quality: dramatic

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even exalted beings rely on Janārdana as the regulator of spiritual power, seeking his governance over tapas and its cosmic effects.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: When spiritual practice becomes harsh or ego-driven, seek guidance, humility, and alignment with divine purpose.

Vishishtadvaita: The Lord is the compassionate governor who harmonizes individual striving (jīva’s tapas) with the welfare of the whole (jagat).

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: austerity

Key Kings: Uttānapāda, Dhruva

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Hari

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Janardana)
• Dhruva (son of Uttanapada)
• Uttanapada
• Devas

FAQs

What is the significance of tapas (austerity) in this verse of the Vishnu Purana?

Tapas is portrayed as a force so potent it can disturb the cosmic balance, prompting the Devas to seek Vishnu’s oversight so austerity aligns with dharma rather than destabilizing the worlds.

How does the Vishnu Purana present the proper refuge when the cosmos is threatened?

The Devas model śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) by approaching Vishnu (Janardana) as the supreme regulator who can harmonize ascetic power with universal order.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu here?

Vishnu is affirmed as the supreme sovereign and protector—one who alone can restrain or redirect even extraordinary spiritual power, preserving the stability of creation.