Shloka 20

Chapter 85: Suvarṇasya Janma ca Pradāna-Phalam

The Origin of Gold and the Merit of Gifting

Devanagari script

महाभागा भवत्यो वै शरण्या: शरणागताम्‌ । परित्रायन्तु मां नित्यं भजमानामनिन्दिताम्‌

Transliteration

mahābhāgā bhavatyō vai śaraṇyāḥ śaraṇāgatām | paritrāyantu māṃ nityaṃ bhajamānām aninditām ||

Translation

Bhīṣma dit : «Ô dames comblées d’une grande fortune, vous êtes véritablement le refuge de ceux qui cherchent asile. Protégez-moi sans cesse — moi qui suis venu à vous pour y trouver refuge, qui vous rends un culte, et qui suis sans faute. Aussi, accueillez-moi et accordez-moi votre protection.»

Word by Word

• महाभागाः: highly fortunate / illustrious
• महाभागाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाभाग
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• भवत्यः: you (ladies)
• भवत्यः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: भवत्
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• वै: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै

• शरण्याः: worthy of refuge / protectors
• शरण्याः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• शरणागताम्: one who has come for refuge
• शरणागताम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरणागत
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• परित्रायन्तु: may (they/you) protect
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि+त्रा
• Form: Imperative, Third, Plural, Parasmaipada

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Accusative, Singular

• नित्यम्: always
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य

• भजमानाम्: worshipping / devoted (to you)
• भजमानाम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: भज्
• Form: शानच् (present active participle), Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• अनिन्दिताम्: blameless / irreproachable
• अनिन्दिताम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनिन्दित
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse emphasizes śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge): those who are truly ‘śaraṇya’—worthy protectors—are ethically bound to protect a sincere, blameless devotee who approaches them with humility and devotion.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma voices a formal plea for protection, addressing revered female protectors (implied divine or venerable ladies) as the refuge of supplicants, declaring his/her devotion and blamelessness, and asking to be accepted and safeguarded.