Shloka 40
Kāruṇya-stotra Phalaśruti; Dream-Darśana of Vāsudeva; Manifestation and Pratiṣṭhā of Jagannātha, Balabhadra (Ananta), and Subhadrā
असहायो महादुर्गे निर्जने गहने वने । महासिंधुतटे चैव शातितो वै महाद्रुमः ॥ ४० ॥
asahāyo mahādurge nirjane gahane vane | mahāsiṃdhutaṭe caiva śātito vai mahādrumaḥ || 40 ||
असहायोऽपि महादुर्गे निर्जने गहने वने, महासिन्धुतटे चैव महाद्रुमः शातितो भवति॥
Narada (narrative instruction within a Tirtha-Mahatmya passage; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara lineage implied)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It highlights impermanence and vulnerability: even something as strong as a great tree can be felled when isolated, implying that worldly strength without true refuge is unreliable.
By implying that being “without help” leads to downfall, it points to taking refuge (śaraṇāgati) in the Divine—especially Vishnu—as the enduring support beyond changing circumstances.
No specific Vedanga technique is taught in this verse; it functions as a dharmic maxim (nyāya) used for instruction in detachment and reliance on higher refuge rather than mere physical strength.