Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 28

Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense

Devanagari script

तस्मा अदाद्धरिश्चक्रं प्रत्यनीकभयावहम् । एकान्तभक्तिभावेन प्रीतो भक्ताभिरक्षणम् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

tasmā adād dhariś cakraṁ pratyanīka-bhayāvaham ekānta-bhakti-bhāvena prīto bhaktābhirakṣaṇam

Translation

മഹാരാജ അംബരീഷന്റെ ഏകാന്ത നിർമല ഭക്തിയിൽ അത്യന്തം പ്രസന്നനായ ഭഗവാൻ, ശത്രുക്കൾക്ക് ഭയങ്കരമായ തന്റെ ഹരിചക്രം രാജാവിന് നൽകി; അത് ഭക്തനെ എപ്പോഴും സംരക്ഷിക്കുന്നു।

Synonyms

• tasmai: to him
• tasmai: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• adāt: gave
• adāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धातु √दा)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• hariḥ: Hari
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• cakram: the discus
• cakram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• pratyanīka-bhayāvaham: bringing fear to opposing armies
• pratyanīka-bhayāvaham: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prati-anīka (प्रातिपदिक) + bhaya (प्रातिपदिक) + āvaha (प्रातिपदिक; √वह् + णिच्/ण्वुल् भाव)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (प्रत्यनीकस्य भयम् आवहति इति); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (cakram इति विशेषणम्)

• ekānta-bhakti-bhāvena: by exclusive devotional disposition
• ekānta-bhakti-bhāvena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ekānta (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakti (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (एकान्ता भक्तिः यस्य सः भावः/भावेन); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• prītaḥ: being pleased
• prītaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prī (धातु √प्री) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (भूत/स्थित्यर्थ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘pleased’

• bhakta-abhirakṣaṇam: (for) the protection of devotees
• bhakta-abhirakṣaṇam: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakta (प्रातिपदिक) + abhirakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक; abhi-√rakṣ + ल्युट्)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भक्तानाम् अभिरक्षणम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (cakram इत्यस्य विशेषण/उद्देश्य-भाव)

Purport

A devotee, being always engaged in the service of the Lord, may not be expert in self-defense, but because a devotee fully depends on the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is always sure of protection by the Lord. Prahlāda Mahārāja said:

Characters & Entities

• Lord Hari (Viṣṇu)
• Sudarśana Cakra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Lord Vishnu protecting His devotees?

This verse states that Lord Hari, pleased by exclusive devotion (ekānta-bhakti), personally provides protection to His devotee—here symbolized by granting the fearsome Sudarśana Cakra.

Why did Lord Hari give the Sudarshana Chakra in Canto 9 Chapter 4?

Because He was pleased with the devotee’s one-pointed devotion and thus ensured the devotee’s protection; the Sudarśana is described as fear-inducing to opposing forces.

Practical application of ekanta-bhakti in modern life?

Practice steady, exclusive devotion—consistent prayer, remembrance, and ethical living centered on God—trusting that sincere spiritual focus brings inner protection from fear, distraction, and hostility.