Shloka 21
Bhāgavatam Mahimā — The Glory, Measure, Transmission, and Gift of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
योगीन्द्राय नमस्तस्मै शुकाय ब्रह्मरूपिणे । संसारसर्पदष्टं यो विष्णुरातममूमुचत् ॥ २१ ॥
yogīndrāya namas tasmai śukāya brahma-rūpiṇe saṁsāra-sarpa-daṣṭaṁ yo viṣṇu-rātam amūmucat
യോഗീന്ദ്രനും ബ്രഹ്മസ്വരൂപനുമായ ശ്രീ ശുകദേവ ഗോസ്വാമിക്ക് നമസ്കാരം; സംസാരസർപ്പദഷ്ടനായ വിഷ്ണുരാതൻ (പരീക്ഷിത്)നെ അദ്ദേഹം മോചിപ്പിച്ചു।
Sūta Gosvāmī now offers obeisances to his own spiritual master, Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura clarifies that just as Arjuna was placed into material confusion so that Bhagavad-gītā might be spoken, so King Parīkṣit, a pure, liberated devotee of the Lord, was cursed to die so that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam might be spoken. Actually, King Parīkṣit is viṣṇu-rāta, eternally under the protection of the Lord. Śukadeva Gosvāmī liberated the king from his so-called illusion to exhibit the merciful nature of a pure devotee and the enlightening effect of his association.
FAQs
This verse praises Śukadeva as the foremost yogī and an embodiment of Brahman, who delivered King Parīkṣit from the deadly bite of saṁsāra by imparting the Bhāgavatam—showing that realized knowledge and devotion received through hearing can grant liberation.
Viṣṇurāta means “protected by Viṣṇu.” Here it highlights Parīkṣit’s divine protection and destiny: even facing death, he was guided to Śuka and attained the highest good through hearing the Lord’s message.
The verse frames worldly anxiety and repeated suffering as a poisonous bite; the practical remedy is to take shelter of authentic spiritual guidance and regularly hear sacred wisdom (especially Bhāgavatam teachings) to gain detachment, clarity, and devotion.