Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 10
Ātmā’s Unborn Nature and Fearlessness at Death
Parīkṣit’s Final Instruction
चोदितो विप्रवाक्येन न त्वां धक्ष्यति तक्षक: । मृत्यवो नोपधक्ष्यन्ति मृत्यूनां मृत्युमीश्वरम् ॥ १० ॥
codito vipra-vākyena na tvāṁ dhakṣyati takṣakaḥ mṛtyavo nopadhakṣyanti mṛtyūnāṁ mṛtyum īśvaram
Dù Takṣaka được sai đến bởi lời nguyền của bà-la-môn, hắn cũng không thể thiêu đốt chân ngã của ngài. Các sứ giả của tử thần cũng không thể thiêu đốt bậc làm chủ bản thân như ngài, vì ngài nương tựa Đấng Chúa Tể là “cái chết của cái chết”.
Real death is the covering of one’s eternal Kṛṣṇa consciousness. For the soul, material illusion is just like death, but Parīkṣit Mahārāja had already destroyed all those dangers that threaten one’s spiritual life, such as lust, envy and fear. Śukadeva Gosvāmī here congratulates the great saintly king, who, as a pure devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa homeward bound to the spiritual sky, was far beyond the reach of death.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the Supreme Lord is beyond death—indeed, He is the “death of death.” One who takes shelter of Him need not be overwhelmed by the fear of mortal danger.
In the context of Parīkṣit’s impending curse, Śukadeva emphasizes the Lord’s supremacy: external agents like Takṣaka act within karma, but the Lord remains unconquerable, and His devotee is spiritually protected by taking shelter in Him.
Remembering the Lord’s supremacy helps one face uncertainty—illness, loss, and fear—with steadiness, focusing on devotion and spiritual priorities rather than panic.