Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

तस्मा अदाद्धरिश्चक्रं प्रत्यनीकभयावहम् । एकान्तभक्तिभावेन प्रीतो भक्ताभिरक्षणम् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

tasmā adād dhariś cakraṁ pratyanīka-bhayāvaham ekānta-bhakti-bhāvena prīto bhaktābhirakṣaṇam

Translation

مہاراج امبریش کی یکسو اور خالص بھکتی سے خوش ہو کر بھگوان نے بادشاہ کو اپنا ہری چکر عطا کیا، جو دشمنوں کے لیے ہیبت ناک ہے اور بھکت کی ہر حال میں حفاظت کرتا ہے۔

Synonyms

• tasmai: to him
• tasmai: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• adāt: gave
• adāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धातु √दा)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• hariḥ: Hari
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• cakram: the discus
• cakram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• pratyanīka-bhayāvaham: bringing fear to opposing armies
• pratyanīka-bhayāvaham: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prati-anīka (प्रातिपदिक) + bhaya (प्रातिपदिक) + āvaha (प्रातिपदिक; √वह् + णिच्/ण्वुल् भाव)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (प्रत्यनीकस्य भयम् आवहति इति); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (cakram इति विशेषणम्)

• ekānta-bhakti-bhāvena: by exclusive devotional disposition
• ekānta-bhakti-bhāvena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ekānta (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakti (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (एकान्ता भक्तिः यस्य सः भावः/भावेन); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• prītaḥ: being pleased
• prītaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prī (धातु √प्री) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (भूत/स्थित्यर्थ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘pleased’

• bhakta-abhirakṣaṇam: (for) the protection of devotees
• bhakta-abhirakṣaṇam: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakta (प्रातिपदिक) + abhirakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक; abhi-√rakṣ + ल्युट्)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भक्तानाम् अभिरक्षणम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (cakram इत्यस्य विशेषण/उद्देश्य-भाव)

Purport

A devotee, being always engaged in the service of the Lord, may not be expert in self-defense, but because a devotee fully depends on the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is always sure of protection by the Lord. Prahlāda Mahārāja said:

Characters & Entities

• Lord Hari (Viṣṇu)
• Sudarśana Cakra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Lord Vishnu protecting His devotees?

This verse states that Lord Hari, pleased by exclusive devotion (ekānta-bhakti), personally provides protection to His devotee—here symbolized by granting the fearsome Sudarśana Cakra.

Why did Lord Hari give the Sudarshana Chakra in Canto 9 Chapter 4?

Because He was pleased with the devotee’s one-pointed devotion and thus ensured the devotee’s protection; the Sudarśana is described as fear-inducing to opposing forces.

Practical application of ekanta-bhakti in modern life?

Practice steady, exclusive devotion—consistent prayer, remembrance, and ethical living centered on God—trusting that sincere spiritual focus brings inner protection from fear, distraction, and hostility.