Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.15.17
सदा सन्तुष्टमनस: सर्वा: शिवमया दिश: ।
शर्कराकण्टकादिभ्यो यथोपानत्पद: शिवम् ॥ १७ ॥
sadā santuṣṭa-manasaḥ
[sadaa santushta-manasah]
sarvāḥ śivamayā diśaḥ
[sarvaah shivamayaa dishah]
śarkarā-kaṇṭakādibhyo
[sharkaraa-kantakaadibhyo]
yathopānat-padaḥ śivam
[yathopaanat-padah shivam]
Word-for-word
sadā
—
always
santuṣṭa-manasaḥ
—
for a person who is self-satisfied
sarvāḥ
—
everything
śiva-mayāḥ
—
auspicious
diśaḥ
—
in all directions
śarkarā
—
from pebbles
kaṇṭaka-ādibhyaḥ
—
and thorns, etc.
yathā
—
as
upānat-padaḥ
—
for a person who has suitable shoes
śivam
—
there is no danger (auspicious).
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sadā santuṣṭa-manasaḥ
sadā
always
santuṣṭa-manasaḥ
for a person who is self-satisfied
sarvāḥ
everything
sarvāḥ śivamayā diśaḥ
śiva-mayāḥ
auspicious
diśaḥ
in all directions
śarkarā-kaṇṭakādibhyo
śarkarā
from pebbles
kaṇṭaka-ādibhyaḥ
and thorns, etc.
yathopānat-padaḥ śivam
yathā
as
upānat-padaḥ
for a person who has suitable shoes
śivam
there is no danger (auspicious).
For a person who has suitable shoes on his feet, there is no danger even when he walks on pebbles and thorns. For him, everything is auspicious. Similarly, for one who is always self-satisfied there is no distress; indeed, he feels happiness everywhere.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
One who is always self-satisfied has auspiciousness everywhere, just one who has shoes is protected from thorns and rocks.
For one who has shoes on his feet, there is protection from thorns.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
For one with proper shoes, even thorny ground is no danger. Similarly, the self-satisfied person experiences happiness wherever he goes. Inner stability, not outer smoothness, makes the path bearable.
Reflection Questions
- What are your 'shoes' — the inner stability — that let you walk over rough patches without harm?
- Where are you blaming the ground for the absence of your own footwear?
My note
Source: vedabase.io