Shloka 7
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
त्वं मा ददस्व दुः खं मे पालयिष्यति कोविदः / क्षणमात्रं न जीवामि त्वां विना जीवनं न हि
tvaṃ mā dadasva duḥ khaṃ me pālayiṣyati kovidaḥ / kṣaṇamātraṃ na jīvāmi tvāṃ vinā jīvanaṃ na hi
わたしに悲しみを与えないでおくれ――賢き汝ただ一人が、わたしを守ってくれるのだ。汝なくしては一瞬たりとも生きられぬ。まことに、汝なくしてわたしに命はない。」
Garuda (Vinata-putra) addressing Lord Vishnu
Concept: Moha (delusive attachment) makes one equate life with the beloved; such dependence is a seed of suffering.
Vedantic Theme: Anityatā of relationships; misplaced ātmā-buddhi in another person rather than in the Self/Brahman.
Application: Cultivate love without possessiveness; build inner stability so relationships do not become existential crutches.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.9-10 (explicit counsel to abandon the snare and turn to Vishnu)
FAQs
This verse frames protection from sorrow as arising through reliance on Vishnu—the “kovida” (wise protector)—highlighting surrender as a spiritual antidote to fear and suffering discussed in the Preta Kanda.
Even when the text deals with post-death states and anxiety about the afterlife, the verse emphasizes that stability and ‘life’ (meaning sustaining power and refuge) is found through closeness to Vishnu, not merely through external conditions.
Cultivate steady refuge in dharma and remembrance of the Divine during distress—responding to fear with prayer, ethical conduct, and inner surrender rather than panic or harmful actions.