FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.17.31

य एतदादावसृजच्चराचरं स्वमाययात्माश्रययावितर्क्यया । तयैव सोऽयं किल गोप्तुमुद्यत: कथं नु मां धर्मपरो जिघांसति ॥ ३१ ॥
ya etad ādāv asṛjac carācaraṁ
[ya etad aadaav asrijach charaacharam]
sva-māyayātmāśrayayāvitarkyayā
[sva-maayayaatmaashrayayaavitarkyayaa]
tayaiva so ’yaṁ kila goptum udyataḥ
[tayaiva so ’yam kila goptum udyatah]
kathaṁ nu māṁ dharma-paro jighāṁsati
[katham nu maam dharma-paro jighaamsati]
Word-for-word
yaḥ — one who etat — these ādau — in the beginning of creation asṛjat — created cara-acaram — moving and nonmoving living entities sva-māyayā — by His own potency ātma-āśrayayā — sheltered under His own protection avitarkyayā — inconceivable tayā — by that same māyā eva — certainly saḥ — he ayam — this King kila — certainly goptum udyataḥ — prepared to give protection katham — how nu — then mām — me dharma-paraḥ — one who is strictly following religious principles jighāṁsati — desires to kill.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
ya etad ādāv asṛjac carācaraṁ
yaḥ
one who
etat
these
ādau
in the beginning of creation
asṛjat
created
cara-acaram
moving and nonmoving living entities
sva-māyayātmāśrayayāvitarkyayā
sva-māyayā
by His own potency
ātma-āśrayayā
sheltered under His own protection
avitarkyayā
inconceivable
tayaiva so ’yaṁ kila goptum udyataḥ
tayā
by that same māyā
eva
certainly
kathaṁ nu māṁ dharma-paro jighāṁsati
saḥ
he
ayam
this King
kila
certainly
goptum udyataḥ
prepared to give protection
katham
how
nu
then
mām
me
dharma-paraḥ
one who is strictly following religious principles
jighāṁsati
desires to kill.
In the beginning of creation You created all these moving and nonmoving living entities by Your inconceivable energy. Through this very same energy You are now prepared to protect the living entities. Indeed, You are the supreme protector of religious principles. Why are You so anxious to kill me, even though I am in the form of a cow?
Purport

The planet earth argues that there is no doubt that one who creates can also annihilate by his sweet will. The planet earth questions why she should be killed when the Lord is prepared to give protection to everyone. After all, it is the earth that is the resting place for all other living entities, and it is the earth that produces grains for them.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
How can he who is dedicated to dharma, who has created in the beginning all moving and non-moving beings by his inconceivable energy under his control, who is eager to protect by the same energy, desire to kill me? “The world is made by me and destroyed by me.” That is true, but now since you are engaged in maintaining things, you should not kill me.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
By Your inconceivable energy You created beings and now will protect them — why kill me, even in cow form? Once you've reached the right address, you may also ask the legitimate question.
Reflection Questions
  • Where have I been afraid to ask the Lord a direct question after my surrender?
  • What legitimate puzzle could I lay before Him now that I'm in the right posture?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

← Read full Chapter 17