Shloka 28

Gajendra’s Prayers and the Appearance of Lord Hari

Gajendra-stuti and Hari-darśana

Devanagari script

नमो नमस्तुभ्यमसह्यवेग- शक्तित्रयायाखिलधीगुणाय । प्रपन्नपालाय दुरन्तशक्तये कदिन्द्रियाणामनवाप्यवर्त्मने ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

namo namas tubhyam asahya-vega- śakti-trayāyākhila-dhī-guṇāya prapanna-pālāya duranta-śaktaye kad-indriyāṇām anavāpya-vartmane

Translation

¡Oh Señor! Te ofrezco reverencias una y otra vez: Tú gobiernas el ímpetu irresistible de las tres energías, eres el depósito de toda virtud y entendimiento, y el protector de quienes se rinden. Tu poder es ilimitado, pero los que no dominan los sentidos no pueden alcanzar Tu sendero.

Synonyms

• namaḥ: obeisance
• namaḥ: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), interjection/obeisance particle (नमः-प्रयोगः)

• namaḥ: obeisance
• namaḥ: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), repetition for emphasis

• tubhyam: to you
• tubhyam: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• asahya-vega-śakti-trayāya: to the threefold power of irresistible speed
• asahya-vega-śakti-trayāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asahya (प्रातिपदिक) + vega (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + traya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter sense as compound-noun, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa: asahya-vega-śakti = ‘unbearable-speed power’, then traya = ‘threefold’

• akhila-dhī-guṇāya: to (you) who possess all qualities of intelligence
• akhila-dhī-guṇāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akhila (प्रातिपदिक) + dhī (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; tatpuruṣa: dhī-guṇa = ‘qualities of intellect’, qualified by akhila = ‘all’

• prapanna-pālāya: to the protector of the surrendered
• prapanna-pālāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prapanna (कृदन्त; √pad/√pṛ (धातु) with pra-, past passive participle) + pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; tatpuruṣa: prapannānāṁ pālaḥ = protector of the surrendered

• duranta-śaktaye: to (you of) insurmountable power
• duranta-śaktaye: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: duranta (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; karmadhāraya: durantā śaktiḥ = ‘insurmountable power’

• kad-indriyāṇām: of the wretched senses
• kad-indriyāṇām: Sambandha/Genitive (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kad (प्रातिपदिक) + indriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: kad = ‘miserable/weak’ (pejorative), indriyāṇi = senses

• anavāpya-vartmane: to (you whose) path is unattainable
• anavāpya-vartmane: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: an-avāpya (कृदन्त; √āp (धातु) with ava-, gerundive/absolutive sense ‘not attainable’) + vartman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; karmadhāraya: anavāpyaṁ vartma = ‘path not attainable (by)’

Purport

Attachment, greed and lust are three formidable forces that prevent one from concentrating upon the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These forces act because the Supreme Lord does not like to be realized by nondevotees and atheists. However, when one surrenders unto the lotus feet of the Lord, these impediments are withdrawn, and one can realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore the Lord is the protector of the surrendered soul. One cannot become a devotee until one surrenders unto the Lord’s lotus feet. Then the Lord gives one the intelligence from within by which one can return home, back to Godhead.

Characters & Entities

• Gajendra
• Lord Vishnu (Narayana/Hari)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 8.3.28 say about surrender (sharanagati) to Vishnu?

It praises Vishnu as “prapanna-pāla,” the protector of those who surrender, teaching that heartfelt refuge in the Lord brings divine protection beyond one’s own strength.

Why does Gajendra say that the Lord’s path is unreachable by the senses?

Gajendra admits the Supreme is transcendent—beyond material perception—so liberation and true knowledge arise not merely from sensory effort but from devotion and the Lord’s grace.

How can I apply the lesson of this verse in modern life?

Practice humility and surrender: acknowledge your limits, turn to God through sincere prayer and devotion, and rely on divine guidance rather than only on fluctuating senses and intellect.