Sloka 36
Sloka 36
Original Text:
दुर्वारसंसारदवाग्नितप्तं दोधूयमानं दुरदृष्टवातैः । भीतं प्रपन्नं परिपाहि मृत्योः शरण्यमन्यद्यदहं न जाने ॥ ३६ ॥
- Transliteration:
durvāra-saṁsāra-davāgni-taptaṁ dodhūyamānaṁ duradṛṣṭa-vātaiḥ bhītaṁ prapannaṁ paripāhi mṛtyoḥ śaraṇyam anyat yad ahaṁ na jāne
- Translation:
O Supreme Shelter, I am scorched by the uncontrollable forest fire of worldly existence and am being driven by the fierce winds of adverse fate. I am terrified and take refuge in You. Please protect me from death, as I know of no other refuge.
- Word Meanings:
* durvāra - uncontrollable * saṁsāra - worldly existence * davāgni - forest fire * taptaṁ - scorched * dodhūyamānaṁ - being thrown around * duradṛṣṭa - ill fate * vātaiḥ - by winds * bhītam - terrified * prapannam - one who has taken refuge * paripāhi - please protect * mṛtyoḥ - from death * śaraṇyam - refuge * anyat - other * yad - which * aham - I * na - not * jāne - know
- Commentary:
This verse highlights the plight of a soul caught in the flames of worldly suffering, depicted as an uncontrollable forest fire. The metaphor of the forest fire signifies the intense and consuming nature of material existence, filled with endless desires and challenges. The winds of adverse fate (duradṛṣṭa-vātaiḥ) symbolize the unpredictable and often harsh circumstances that one faces in life, which can push a person towards spiritual despair and fear.
Recognizing the limitation of worldly solutions and acknowledging one's existential fears and helplessness, the seeker turns towards the Ultimate Refuge, seeking protection from the cycle of birth and death (mṛtyoḥ). The verse underscores the importance of surrender and the role of divine grace in attaining liberation. It encapsulates the core Vedantic principle of realizing our inadequacy in dealing with the material world solely through our own efforts and the subsequent need for surrender to a higher power for true peace and security.
This sloka can serve as a powerful reminder for spiritual aspirants to look beyond the transient and often tumultuous nature of worldly experiences, urging them to seek solace and protection in the eternal. By invoking the Supreme Lord, the seeker affirms their faith in divine intervention as the path to transcend worldly suffering and attain liberation.
Further Readings: