Shloka 3

Ūṣā-Haraṇa, Bāṇāsura’s Pride, and Aniruddha’s Capture

Prelude to Hari–Śaṅkara Conflict

Devanagari script

भगवान् सर्वभूतेश: शरण्यो भक्तवत्सल: । वरेण छन्दयामास स तं वव्रे पुराधिपम् ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

bhagavān sarva-bhūteśaḥ śaraṇyo bhakta-vatsalaḥ vareṇa chandayām āsa sa taṁ vavre purādhipam

Translation

भगवान् सर्वभूतेशः शरण्यो भक्तवत्सलः । वरेण छन्दयामास स तं वव्रे पुराधिपम् ॥

Synonyms

• भगवान्: the Lord
• भगवान्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• सर्वभूतेशः: lord of all beings
• सर्वभूतेशः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-भूत-ईश (प्रातिपदिक; सर्व + भूत + ईश)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भूतानाम् ईशः = lord of beings)

• शरण्यः: worthy of refuge
• शरण्यः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Subject-Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (adjective of भगवान्)

• भक्तवत्सलः: affectionate to devotees
• भक्तवत्सलः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Subject-Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त-वत्सल (प्रातिपदिक; भक्त + वत्सल)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भक्तानां वत्सलः = affectionate to devotees)

• वरेण: by a boon
• वरेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• छन्दयामास: pleased / gratified
• छन्दयामास: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: छन्द् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative sense ‘to please/propitiate’

• सः: he
• सः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• तम्: him
• तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वव्रे: chose / asked for
• वव्रे: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; ‘to choose/ask for’

• पुराधिपम्: the king (lord) of the city
• पुराधिपम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर-अधिप (प्रातिपदिक; पुर + अधिप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पुरस्य अधिपः = lord of the city)

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna being bhakta-vatsala (affectionate to devotees)?

This verse highlights that the Lord is inherently “bhakta-vatsala”—He lovingly responds to devotion and personally offers shelter and benedictions to those connected with Him.

Why does the Lord offer a boon in this Bhagavatam passage (Canto 10, Chapter 62)?

Because He is śaraṇya (the giver of refuge) and the well-wisher of His devotees, the Lord invites the recipient to ask for a benediction, demonstrating His compassionate, personal reciprocation.

How can I apply the teaching of śaraṇya (taking shelter) in modern life?

Cultivate dependence on the Lord through sincere prayer, chanting, and ethical living; the verse teaches that taking refuge in Bhagavān invites His guidance and mercy in practical decisions and hardships.