Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 21
Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa
Prelude to Samudra-manthana
अहं भवो यूयमथोऽसुरादयो मनुष्यतिर्यग्द्रुमघर्मजातय: । यस्यावतारांशकलाविसर्जिता व्रजाम सर्वे शरणं तमव्ययम् ॥ २१ ॥
ahaṁ bhavo yūyam atho ’surādayo manuṣya-tiryag-druma-gharma-jātayaḥ yasyāvatārāṁśa-kalā-visarjitā vrajāma sarve śaraṇaṁ tam avyayam
Lord Brahmā said: I, Lord Śiva, all of you demigods, the demons, the living entities born of perspiration, the living beings born of eggs, the trees and plants sprouting from the earth, and the living entities born from embryos — all come from the Supreme Lord, from His incarnation of rajo-guṇa [Lord Brahmā, the guṇa-avatāra] and from the great sages [ṛṣis] who are part of me. Let us therefore go to the Supreme Lord and take shelter of His lotus feet.
Some creatures are born from embryos, some from perspiration, and some from seeds. In this way, all living entities emanate from the guṇa-avatāra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Ultimately, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the shelter of all living entities.
FAQs
It teaches that all beings—devas, asuras, humans, animals, plants, and other life-forms—should take shelter of the imperishable Supreme Lord, because all are manifested through His divine expansions.
In the context of the devas seeking protection and guidance, Śiva reminds them that every category of living beings is dependent on the Supreme, and therefore the ultimate refuge is not any secondary power but the avyaya (imperishable) Lord Himself.
It encourages humility and unity: regardless of status or identity, one can face crisis by practicing surrender—seeking the Supreme Lord’s guidance through prayer, devotion, and righteous action instead of relying only on limited worldly supports.