Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 33
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Varṇāśrama’s Purpose, Ritualism’s Fall, and Yuga-Avatāras with Kali-yuga Saṅkīrtana
ध्येयं सदा परिभवघ्नमभीष्टदोहं तीर्थास्पदं शिवविरिञ्चिनुतं शरण्यम् । भृत्यार्तिहं प्रणतपाल भवाब्धिपोतं वन्दे महापुरुष ते चरणारविन्दम् ॥ ३३ ॥
dhyeyaṁ sadā paribhava-ghnam abhīṣṭa-dohaṁ tīrthāspadaṁ śiva-viriñci-nutaṁ śaraṇyam bhṛtyārti-haṁ praṇata-pāla bhavābdhi-potaṁ vande mahā-puruṣa te caraṇāravindam
Mahal kong Panginoon, Ikaw ang Mahāpuruṣa; sinasamba ko ang Iyong mga paang-loto, ang tanging walang-hanggang dapat pagnilayan. Winawasak ng mga paaing iyon ang kahihiyan at pagdurusa ng buhay-materyal at malayang nagbibigay ng pinakamataas na hangarin ng kaluluwa: dalisay na prema-bhakti. Iyon ang kanlungan ng lahat ng banal na pook, iginagalang ng mga banal sa linya ng bhakti, at pinararangalan maging nina Śiva at Brahmā. Pinangangalagaan Mo ang mga yumuyuko, inaalis Mo ang dalamhati ng Iyong mga lingkod; ang Iyong mga paa ay bangkang tumatawid sa dagat ng kapanganakan at kamatayan.
The incarnation of the Personality of Godhead in Kali-yuga is described and worshiped in this verse. The sage Karabhājana, after describing the incarnation of Godhead in each of the three previous yugas — Satya, Tretā and Dvāpara — presented suitable prayers which are utilized for glorifying the Lord in each particular age. After describing the Lord’s manifestation in Kali-yuga with the verse kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇam, this and the next verse are now presented to glorify the Lord’s appearance in Kali-yuga as Caitanya Mahāprabhu, kṛṣṇa-varṇam. Caitanya Mahāprabhu appears in Kali-yuga and teaches everyone to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. The members of the ISKCON movement are so much absorbed in kṛṣṇa-varṇam, or chanting the holy names of Kṛṣṇa, that sometimes ordinary persons refer to them as “the Kṛṣṇas.” Thus whoever comes into contact with Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s movement immediately begins to worship Kṛṣṇa by chanting His holy name.
FAQs
It says the Lord’s lotus feet should be meditated upon always because they destroy defeat and distress, grant desired blessings, and act as the boat to cross the ocean of material life.
Nārada presents bhakti as the supreme shelter and practical means of deliverance; glorifying the Lord’s lotus feet summarizes the essence of surrender that protects the devotee and leads beyond saṁsāra.
Take refuge in daily remembrance—hearing, chanting, and praying to the Lord’s lotus feet—especially during anxiety or setbacks, treating devotion as your steady means to cross life’s turbulence.