Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 55

Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense

Devanagari script

प्रत्याख्यातो विरिञ्चेन विष्णुचक्रोपतापित: । दुर्वास: शरणं यात: शर्वं कैलासवासिनम् ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

pratyākhyāto viriñcena viṣṇu-cakropatāpitaḥ durvāsāḥ śaraṇaṁ yātaḥ śarvaṁ kailāsa-vāsinam

Translation

Nang tanggihan ni Viriñci (Brahmā), si Durvāsā na labis na pinahihirapan ng naglalagablab na init ng Sudarśana-cakra ni Viṣṇu ay nagtungo upang sumilong kay Śarva (Śiva), ang nananahan sa Kailāsa.

Synonyms

• pratyākhyātaḥ: having been refused
• pratyākhyātaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prati + ā + √khyā (धातु) → pratyākhyāta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP), ‘rejected/repulsed’

• viriñcena: by Viriñci (Brahmā)
• viriñcena: Kartr̥-karaṇa (कर्ता/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viriñci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• viṣṇu-cakra-upatāpitaḥ: tormented by Viṣṇu’s discus
• viṣṇu-cakra-upatāpitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣṇu + cakra + upatāpita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP) ‘tormented’; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषार्थ (tormented by Viṣṇu’s discus)

• durvāsāḥ: Durvāsā
• durvāsāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: durvāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• śaraṇam: refuge
• śaraṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• yātaḥ: went
• yātaḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (धातु) → yāta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP) used predicatively = ‘went/has gone’

• śarvam: to Śarva (Śiva)
• śarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• kailāsa-vāsinam: dwelling on Kailāsa
• kailāsa-vāsinam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kailāsa + vāsin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying śarvam)

Characters & Entities

• Durvasa Muni
• Brahma (Virinchi)
• Vishnu (Sudarshana Chakra)
• Shiva (Sharva)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about taking shelter when afflicted by karma or divine punishment?

This verse shows Durvāsā, distressed by Sudarśana’s pursuit, seeking śaraṇa (shelter). The narrative teaches that real protection is found by proper surrender—especially by approaching the Supreme Lord through humility and rectification.

Why did Durvasa Muni go to Lord Shiva after being rejected by Brahma?

After Brahmā refused to counteract Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana, Durvāsā sought another powerful refuge—Lord Śiva of Kailāsa—hoping for relief from the chakra’s torment.

Practical application of this shloka’s lesson in modern life?

When consequences arise from wrongdoing—especially harming devoted, sincere people—don’t look for shortcuts. Seek genuine shelter through accountability, apology, and turning to God with humility rather than trying to overpower the results.