Shloka 37
यमस्य अधिकारभङ्गः — वैष्णवस्य लक्षणम्
Freedom from Yama through Hari-śaraṇāgati
मयाप्य् एतद् यथान्यायं सम्यग् वत्स तवोदितम् यथा विष्णुम् ऋते नान्यत् त्राणं संसारसागरे
mayāpy etad yathānyāyaṃ samyag vatsa tavoditam yathā viṣṇum ṛte nānyat trāṇaṃ saṃsārasāgare
Indeed, my child, you have spoken rightly and in accord with reason: in this ocean of worldly becoming, apart from Viṣṇu there is no other saving refuge.
Sage Parāśara (addressing Maitreya)
Concept: Viṣṇu alone is the true refuge and savior across the ocean of saṃsāra; all other supports are ultimately inadequate.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Practice daily remembrance and surrender—japa, nāma-saṅkīrtana, and offering actions to Viṣṇu—especially amid anxiety and uncertainty.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms śaraṇāgati: the jīva’s dependence on the Lord’s grace (anugraha) for deliverance, central to Viśiṣṭādvaita bhakti-prapatti.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman (philosophical)
Bhakti Type: Shanta (peaceful)
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
It symbolizes the vast, perilous cycle of birth and death, from which deliverance is possible only through divine refuge—here identified exclusively with Viṣṇu.
By affirming Maitreya’s statement: rationally and scripturally, no other power or practice is ultimately saving apart from Viṣṇu’s protection and grace.
Viṣṇu is presented as the sole supreme savior—an exclusive, ultimate ground of liberation—central to Vaishnava philosophy and the Purāṇa’s vision of cosmic order.