Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
तस्यावितु: स्थिरचरेशितुरङ्घ्रिमूलं यत्स्थं न कर्मगुणकालरज: स्पृशन्ति । यद् वै स्तुवन्ति निनमन्ति यजन्त्यभीक्ष्णं ध्यायन्ति वेदहृदया मुनयस्तदाप्त्यै ॥ ४२ ॥
tasyāvituḥ sthira-careśitur aṅghri-mūlaṁ yat-sthaṁ na karma-guṇa-kāla-rajaḥ spṛśanti yad vai stuvanti ninamanti yajanty abhīkṣṇaṁ dhyāyanti veda-hṛdayā munayas tad-āptyai
Because You are the protector and the supreme controller of all moving and nonmoving beings, anyone who takes shelter of Your lotus feet can never be touched by the contamination of material work, material qualities or time. Great sages who have assimilated the essential meaning of the Vedas offer their prayers to You. To gain Your association, they bow down to You at every opportunity and constantly worship You and meditate upon You.
This verse says that at the Lord’s lotus feet there is a state not touched by the contamination of karma, the material modes, or time, and that sages seek it through constant devotion.
He presents these as practical limbs of bhakti by which realized sages attain the Lord’s shelter—the transcendental position beyond material influence.
Adopt a steady daily practice of bhakti—regular glorification (kīrtana), respectful humility (namaskāra), worship (sevā/arcana), and meditation (smaraṇa)—to reduce material agitation and deepen spiritual shelter.