Shloka 41

उपसंहारः, वैष्णवपुराण-प्रशंसा, फलश्रुति, परम्परा-प्रवहः (पाठ-श्रवण-फलम्)

Devanagari script

एतत् संसारभीरूणां परित्राणम् अनुत्तमम् दुःस्वप्ननाशनं नॄणां सर्वदुष्टनिबर्हणम्

Transliteration

etat saṃsārabhīrūṇāṃ paritrāṇam anuttamam duḥsvapnanāśanaṃ nṝṇāṃ sarvaduṣṭanibarhaṇam

Translation

This is the unsurpassed refuge for those who tremble at the wheel of saṃsāra; it destroys men’s evil dreams and drives away every form of wickedness.

Word by Word

• etat: this
• etat: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/विषय), एकवचन; निर्देशार्थ (this)

• saṃsāra: worldly existence
• saṃsāra: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃsāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासपूर्वपद (in compound)

• bhīrūṇām: of the fearful
• bhīrūṇām: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhīru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; समासोत्तरपद

• paritrāṇam: protection, deliverance
• paritrāṇam: Pradhana (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paritrāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (विधेय), एकवचन

• anuttamam: unsurpassed
• anuttamam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anuttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; परित्राणम् इति विशेषणम्

• duḥsvapna: bad dreams
• duḥsvapna: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: duḥsvapna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/कर्मधारयप्रायः तत्पुरुषसमासः: duḥ (दुः) + svapna (स्वप्न); समासपूर्वपदत्वेन

• nāśanam: destroyer, removal
• nāśanam: Pradhana (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (समासोत्तरपद)

• nṝṇām: of men
• nṝṇām: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• sarva: all
• sarva: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; सर्व- (all)

• duṣṭa: evil
• duṣṭa: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासमध्यपद; विशेषण (wicked/evil)

• nibarhaṇam: suppression, expulsion
• nibarhaṇam: Pradhana (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nibarhaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (समासोत्तरपद)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya; devotional-philosophical exposition)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: why Viṣṇu-smaraṇa/Viṣṇu-kathā is a supreme refuge for saṃsāra-bhīru beings

Teaching: Devotional

Quality: compassionate

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Remembrance/praise of Viṣṇu is the unsurpassed protection for those fearful of saṃsāra, removing inner terrors (duḥsvapna) and expelling wicked tendencies.

Vedantic Theme: Moksha

Application: Use daily nāma-smaraṇa and recitation before sleep and upon waking to steady the mind, reduce fear, and uproot harmful habits.

Vishishtadvaita: The Lord’s grace operates as protective refuge (śaraṇāgati-bhāva), purifying the devotee’s inner life while remaining accessible through name and remembrance.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Hari

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the significance of 'paritrāṇa' (supreme refuge) in the Vishnu Purana?

Here it presents devotion to Vishnu as the highest protection for those afraid of saṃsāra, framing the Lord as the ultimate shelter beyond worldly instability.

How does Sage Parāśara explain deliverance from fear and evil?

By pointing to Vishnu-centered remembrance/praise as a practical and spiritual remedy: it calms saṃsāra-fear, destroys inauspicious visions, and removes wicked influences.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Vishnu is affirmed as the supreme, unrivaled protector whose grace and presence negate evil and guide beings toward peace and liberation.