Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 18
Akrūra’s Prayers (Akrūra-stuti): The Lord as Cause of Causes, Virāṭ, and the Goal of All Paths
नम: कारणमत्स्याय प्रलयाब्धिचराय च । हयशीर्ष्णे नमस्तुभ्यं मधुकैटभमृत्यवे ॥ १७ ॥ अकूपाराय बृहते नमो मन्दरधारिणे । क्षित्युद्धारविहाराय नम: शूकरमूर्तये ॥ १८ ॥
namaḥ kāraṇa-matsyāya pralayābdhi-carāya ca hayaśīrṣṇe namas tubhyaṁ madhu-kaiṭabha-mṛtyave
I offer my obeisances to You, the cause of the creation, Lord Matsya, who swam about in the ocean of dissolution, to Lord Hayagrīva, the killer of Madhu and Kaiṭabha, to the immense tortoise [Lord Kūrma], who supported Mandara Mountain, and to the boar incarnation [Lord Varāha], who enjoyed lifting the earth.
The Viśva-kośa dictionary states that the word akūpārāya indicates the king of tortoises.
FAQs
This verse worships the Lord as Matsya who moves in the ocean of dissolution, emphasizing His protection and guidance even when the universe is submerged in pralaya.
In this chapter Akrura’s devotion overflows as he approaches the Supreme Lord; he recognizes Krishna as the source of all avatāras and therefore offers prayers to multiple divine forms.
When life feels unstable or overwhelming, this verse teaches taking shelter through prayer and remembrance, trusting the Lord as the protector who guides across every upheaval.