Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 7
Bali Liberated, Prahlāda Blessed, and Vāmana Accepted as Universal Protector
यत्पादपद्ममकरन्दनिषेवणेन ब्रह्मादय: शरणदाश्नुवते विभूती: । कस्माद् वयं कुसृतय: खलयोनयस्ते दाक्षिण्यदृष्टिपदवीं भवत: प्रणीता: ॥ ७ ॥
yat-pāda-padma-makaranda-niṣevaṇena brahmādayaḥ śaraṇadāśnuvate vibhūtīḥ kasmād vayaṁ kusṛtayaḥ khala-yonayas te dākṣiṇya-dṛṣṭi-padavīṁ bhavataḥ praṇītāḥ
O supreme shelter of everyone, great personalities like Brahmā enjoy their perfection simply by tasting the honey of rendering service at Your lotus feet. But as for us, who are all rogues and debauchees born of an envious family of demons, how have we received Your mercy? It has been possible only because Your mercy is causeless.
FAQs
This verse teaches that even exalted beings like Brahmā attain true shelter and divine opulences by serving the nectar of the Lord’s lotus feet—showing that bhakti is the supreme refuge.
In the Vāmana narrative, the demigods feel unworthy due to past faults and dependence on power, so they praise Viṣṇu’s compassion—acknowledging that His mercy, not their status, grants protection.
Adopt humility and steady devotional practice—regular remembrance, prayer, and service—trusting that sincere bhakti invites divine guidance beyond one’s perceived qualifications.