annaá¹ hi prÄṇinÄá¹ prÄṇa
ÄrtÄnÄá¹ Å›araṇaá¹ tv aham
dharmo vittaá¹ nṛṇÄá¹ pretya
santo 'rvÄg bibhyato 'raṇam
annam - food; hi - indeed; prÄṇinÄm - of living entities; prÄṇaḥ - the very life; ÄrtÄnÄm - of those who are distressed; Å›araṇam - the shelter; tu - and; aham - I; dharmaḥ - religion; vittam - the wealth; nṛṇÄm - of men; pretya - when they have passed away from this world; santaḥ - the devotees; arvÄk - of going downward; bibhyataḥ - for those who are fearful; araṇam - the refuge.
Just as food is the life of all creatures, just as I am the ultimate shelter for the distressed, and just as religion is the wealth of those who are passing away from this world, so My devotees are the only refuge of persons fearful of falling into a miserable condition of life.
Those fearful of being dragged down by material lust and anger should take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord’s devotees, who can engage one safely in the Lord’s loving service.
