Shloka 58
कालियदमना: यमुनाशुद्धिः, करुणा-निग्रहः, स्तुति-तत्त्वम्
इत्य् उक्ते ताभिर् आश्वस्य क्लान्तदेहो ऽपि पन्नगः प्रसीद देव देवेति प्राह वाक्यं शनैः शनैः
ity ukte tābhir āśvasya klāntadeho 'pi pannagaḥ prasīda deva deveti prāha vākyaṃ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ
When they had spoken thus, the serpent—though his body was worn with exhaustion—was comforted; and little by little he uttered: “Be gracious, O God of gods.”
The serpent (pannagaḥ) addressing the Supreme Lord (Vishnu) within Parasara’s narration to Maitreya
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Continuation of Kṛṣṇa-līlā narrative highlighting prayer and the softening of suffering through devotion.
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: tender and consoling
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: He is invoked as Deva-deva, the supreme refuge, to whom even exhausted beings turn for grace and life.
Leela: Moksha-dana
Dharma Restored: Affirmation of divine grace as the sustaining power that relieves suffering and restores hope.
Concept: Even when strength fails, sincere invocation of the Lord (‘prasīda deva-deva’) becomes a channel for steadiness and grace.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: In crisis, repeat a simple nāma-mantra or short plea with attention and humility, letting devotion carry you when energy is low.
Vishishtadvaita: The soul’s dependence (śeṣatva) is expressed through prayer; the Lord’s grace meets the finite being without requiring prior capability.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
It asserts Vishnu’s supreme sovereignty over all divine powers, framing him as the ultimate refuge even for mighty beings like the Nagas.
Through the image of the exhausted serpent being reassured and then slowly voicing a prayer, Parasara shows that consolation and surrender culminate in seeking Vishnu’s grace.
Vishnu is presented as the highest Lord whose favor (prasīda) restores and uplifts; devotion is depicted as the natural response to recognizing that supreme reality.