Shloka 11
Hari-stuti by Śrī, Brahmā, Vāyu, Sarasvatī, Śeṣa, Garuḍa, Rudra, Vāruṇī and Pārvatī
Humility, Surrender, and the Power of the Name
स्नहोत्थरावः स्खलिताक्षरस्तं मुञ्चन्कणान्प्राञ्जलिराबभाषे / वायुरुवाच / एते हि देवास्तव भृत्यभूताः पदारविन्दं परमं सुदुर्लभम्
snahottharāvaḥ skhalitākṣarastaṃ muñcankaṇānprāñjalirābabhāṣe / vāyuruvāca / ete hi devāstava bhṛtyabhūtāḥ padāravindaṃ paramaṃ sudurlabham
സ്നേഹത്താൽ കണ്ഠം മുട്ടി, അക്ഷരങ്ങൾ തളർന്നുപോയി, കണ്ണീർത്തുള്ളികൾ ചൊരിഞ്ഞ് കൈകൂപ്പി വായു പറഞ്ഞു—“ഈ ദേവന്മാർ നിന്റെ ഭൃത്യരായി; എങ്കിലും നിന്റെ പാദപദ്മം പരമ ദുർലഭം.”
Vayu (the Wind-god)
Concept: Even gods become subordinate, yet attainment of the Lord’s lotus-feet is exceedingly rare; devotion surpasses status.
Vedantic Theme: Paratva (supremacy of Bhagavan) and durlabhatva of bhagavat-prapti; grace as the true access to the Absolute.
Application: Cultivate humility and single-pointed devotion; do not equate spiritual attainment with power, rank, or learning—seek refuge at the Lord’s feet.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring motif of bhagavat-pada-seva as highest goal (Vishnu-bhakti sections)
FAQs
This verse presents the lotus-feet as the supreme refuge and the hardest attainment, implying that true liberation and divine proximity come through surrender and devotion rather than status—even devas revere that goal.
Vāyu states that the devas are ‘servants’ of the addressed Supreme, yet attaining His lotus-feet remains rare; it highlights that cosmic power does not equal spiritual attainment, and devotion is the higher principle.
Cultivate humility and steady devotion: honor sacred practice (prayer, remembrance, service) without pride, recognizing that inner surrender—not worldly rank—leads toward the highest spiritual goal.