Shloka 9
Kuntī’s Prayers and the Neutralization of the Brahmāstra
Uttarā Protected; Yudhiṣṭhira’s Grief Begins
उत्तरोवाच पाहि पाहि महायोगिन् देवदेव जगत्पते । नान्यं त्वदभयं पश्ये यत्र मृत्यु: परस्परम् ॥ ९ ॥
uttarovāca pāhi pāhi mahā-yogin deva-deva jagat-pate nānyaṁ tvad abhayaṁ paśye yatra mṛtyuḥ parasparam
ఉత్తర పలికెను: ఓ దేవాదిదేవా! ఓ జగత్పతీ! నీవు మహా యోగివి. నన్ను రక్షించు, రక్షించు. మృత్యువు నిండిన ఈ లోకంలో నీవు తప్ప నాకు వేరే దిక్కు లేదు.
This material world is the world of duality, in contrast with the oneness of the absolute realm. The world of duality is composed of matter and spirit, whereas the absolute world is complete spirit without any tinge of the material qualities. In the dual world everyone is falsely trying to become the master of the world, whereas in the absolute world the Lord is the absolute Lord, and all others are His absolute servitors. In the world of duality everyone is envious of all others, and death is inevitable due to the dual existence of matter and spirit. The Lord is the only shelter of fearlessness for the surrendered soul. One cannot save himself from the cruel hands of death in the material world without having surrendered himself at the lotus feet of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse shows complete śaraṇāgati: Uttarā declares that only Kṛṣṇa is the true source of fearlessness when death seems to approach from all sides.
She was terrified by the imminent threat of destruction (the brahmāstra weapon) and urgently appealed to Kṛṣṇa as the supreme protector of the helpless.
In crises, cultivate inner refuge by remembering God, praying sincerely, and relying on divine guidance rather than panic—seeing the Lord as the ultimate protector beyond changing circumstances.