Shloka 14
Questions by the Sages of Naimiṣāraṇya (Śaunaka’s Inquiries and the Bhāgavata Thesis)
आपन्न: संसृतिं घोरां यन्नाम विवशो गृणन् । तत: सद्यो विमुच्येत यद्बिभेति स्वयं भयम् ॥ १४ ॥
āpannaḥ saṁsṛtiṁ ghorāṁ yan-nāma vivaśo gṛṇan tataḥ sadyo vimucyeta yad bibheti svayaṁ bhayam
สรรพชีวิตที่ติดอยู่ในข่ายอันน่ากลัวแห่งการเกิดและตาย หากแม้เผลอไผลก็ยังเอ่ยนามศักดิ์สิทธิ์ของพระกฤษณะ ย่อมหลุดพ้นได้ทันที; แม้ความกลัวเองก็ยังหวาดหวั่นต่อนามนั้น
Vāsudeva, or Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Personality of Godhead, is the supreme controller of everything. There is no one in creation who is not afraid of the rage of the Almighty. Great asuras like Rāvaṇa, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Kaṁsa, and others who were very powerful living entities were all killed by the Personality of Godhead. And the almighty Vāsudeva has empowered His name with the powers of His personal Self. Everything is related to Him, and everything has its identity in Him. It is stated herein that the name of Kṛṣṇa is feared even by fear personified. This indicates that the name of Kṛṣṇa is nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, the name of Kṛṣṇa is as powerful as Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. There is no difference at all. Anyone, therefore, can take advantage of the holy names of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa even in the midst of the greatest dangers. The transcendental name of Kṛṣṇa, even though uttered unconsciously or by force of circumstances, can help one obtain freedom from the hurdle of birth and death.
FAQs
This verse states that even if someone is trapped in terrible saṁsāra, merely uttering the Lord’s name—even helplessly—can bring immediate release.
Suta Gosvami speaks to the sages of Naimisharanya, glorifying the supreme efficacy of the Lord’s holy name while answering their spiritual inquiries.
Begin taking shelter of the Lord’s name through regular chanting; the verse teaches that remembrance of God is a direct remedy for fear because fear itself is subordinate to Him.