Shloka 22

Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha

Devanagari script

त्वमेक: सर्वजगत ईश्वरो बन्धमोक्षयो: । तं त्वामर्चन्ति कुशला: प्रपन्नार्तिहरं गुरुम् ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

tvam ekaḥ sarva-jagata īśvaro bandha-mokṣayoḥ taṁ tvām arcanti kuśalāḥ prapannārti-haraṁ gurum

Translation

اے پروردگار، پورے جگت کے بندھن اور موکش کے مالک آپ ہی ہیں، کیونکہ آپ اس کے حاکم ہیں۔ جو روحانی شعور میں پختہ ہیں وہ آپ کی پناہ لے کر آپ کو شरणागतوں کے دکھ دور کرنے والے گرو کے طور پر پوجتے ہیں؛ اسی لیے ہم بھی آپ کی عبادت کرتے ہیں۔

Synonyms

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ekaḥ: alone/one
• ekaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate adjective

• sarva-jagataḥ: of the entire world
• sarva-jagataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; कर्मधारय: ‘सर्वं जगत्’

• īśvaraḥ: lord
• īśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate noun

• bandha-mokṣayoḥ: of bondage and liberation
• bandha-mokṣayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bandha + mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Dual (द्विवचन); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व: ‘बंधनः च मोक्षः च’

• tam: him/that one
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• arcanti: worship
• arcanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arc (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथम-पुरुष), Plural, Parasmaipada

• kuśalāḥ: the wise/skillful (devotees)
• kuśalāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• prapanna-ārti-haram: remover of the distress of the surrendered
• prapanna-ārti-haram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prapanna + ārti + hara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष: ‘प्रपन्नानाम् आर्तिं हरति’ (one who removes the distress of the surrendered)

• gurum: the teacher
• gurum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Purport

Actually Lord Viṣṇu maintains and accomplishes all good fortune. If one has to take shelter of Lord Viṣṇu, why should the demigods take shelter of Lord Śiva? They did so because Lord Viṣṇu acts through Lord Śiva in the creation of the material world. Lord Śiva acts on behalf of Lord Viṣṇu. When the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (14.4) that He is the father of all living entities ( ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā ), this refers to actions performed by Lord Viṣṇu through Lord Śiva. Lord Viṣṇu is always unattached to material activities, and when material activities are to be performed, Lord Viṣṇu performs them through Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva is therefore worshiped on the level of Lord Viṣṇu. When Lord Viṣṇu is untouched by the external energy He is Lord Viṣṇu, but when He is in touch with the external energy, He appears in His feature as Lord Śiva.

Characters & Entities

• Lord Shiva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about who controls bondage and liberation?

This verse states that the Supreme Lord alone is īśvara—the controller of the whole universe—and He governs both bondage (bandha) and liberation (mokṣa).

Why do the demigods praise Lord Shiva as the remover of distress in Canto 8 Chapter 7?

During the churning of the milk ocean, a deadly poison threatens all beings; the Devas approach Shiva for shelter and glorify him as the compassionate guru who relieves the suffering of surrendered souls.

How can I apply the teaching of prapanna (surrender) in modern life?

Take conscious refuge in the Lord (and His devotees) through prayer, steady practice, and humility—seeking guidance and trusting that sincere surrender brings inner relief and clarity amid distress.