Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.7.3
गन्धर्वानवधीत् तत्र वध्यान् वै विष्णुशक्तिधृक् ।
नागाल्लब्धवर: सर्पादभयं स्मरतामिदम् ॥ ३ ॥
gandharvān avadhīt tatra
[gandharvaan avadheet tatra]
vadhyān vai viṣṇu-śakti-dhṛk
[vadhyaan vai vishnu-shakti-dhrik]
nāgāl labdha-varaḥ sarpād
[naagaal labdha-varah sarpaad]
abhayaṁ smaratām idam
[abhayam smarataam idam]
Word-for-word
gandharvān
—
the inhabitants of Gandharvaloka
avadhīt
—
he killed
tatra
—
there (in the lower region of the universe)
vadhyān
—
who deserved to be killed
vai
—
indeed
viṣṇu-śakti-dhṛk
—
being empowered by Lord Viṣṇu
nāgāt
—
from the Nāgas
labdha-varaḥ
—
having received a benediction
sarpāt
—
from the snakes
abhayam
—
assurances
smaratām
—
of those who remember
idam
—
this incident.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
gandharvān avadhīt tatra
gandharvān
the inhabitants of Gandharvaloka
avadhīt
he killed
tatra
there (in the lower region of the universe)
vadhyān vai viṣṇu-śakti-dhṛk
vadhyān
who deserved to be killed
vai
indeed
viṣṇu-śakti-dhṛk
being empowered by Lord Viṣṇu
nāgāl labdha-varaḥ sarpād
nāgāt
from the Nāgas
labdha-varaḥ
having received a benediction
sarpāt
from the snakes
abhayaṁ smaratām idam
abhayam
assurances
smaratām
of those who remember
idam
this incident.
There in Rasātala, the lower region of the universe, Purukutsa, being empowered by Lord Viṣṇu, was able to kill all the Gandharvas who deserved to be killed. Purukutsa received the benediction from the serpents that anyone who remembers this history of his being brought by Narmadā to the lower region of the universe will be assured of safety from the attack of snakes.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
There in Rasātala, Purukutsa, being empowered by Viṣṇu, was able to kill all the Gandharvas who deserved to be killed. Purukutsa received the benediction from the serpents that anyone who remembers how he was brought to Rasātala will be free of fear of snakes.
He killed those who deserved to be killed. Those who remember how he was brought to Rasātala will have no fear of snakes.
Personal Guidance
Even hearing a Bhāgavatam history of a devotee can become protection — for Purukutsa's story protects readers from snake-attacks. Sacred narrative is itself a shield, not just a record.
Reflection Questions
- Which sacred stories have I noticed actually shielding me in my daily life?
- How could I integrate brief remembrance of such stories into my morning?
My note
Source: vedabase.io