Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 13
Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya
Concise Bhāgavata Account
यद्रोषविभ्रमविवृत्तकटाक्षपात- सम्भ्रान्तनक्रमकरो भयगीर्णघोष: । सिन्धु: शिरस्यर्हणं परिगृह्य रूपी पादारविन्दमुपगम्य बभाष एतत् ॥ १३ ॥
yad-roṣa-vibhrama-vivṛtta-kaṭākṣa-pāta- sambhrānta-nakra-makaro bhaya-gīrṇa-ghoṣaḥ sindhuḥ śirasy arhaṇaṁ parigṛhya rūpī pādāravindam upagamya babhāṣa etat
After reaching the beach, Lord Rāmacandra fasted for three days, awaiting the arrival of the ocean personified. When the ocean did not come, the Lord exhibited His pastimes of anger, and simply by His glancing over the ocean, all the living entities within it, including the crocodiles and sharks, were agitated by fear. Then the personified ocean fearfully approached Lord Rāmacandra, taking all paraphernalia to worship Him. Falling at the Lord’s lotus feet, the personified ocean spoke as follows.
FAQs
This verse describes the Ocean becoming fearful of Lord Rāma’s angry glance, taking worship-offerings on his head, and approaching the Lord’s lotus feet—showing humility and surrender before divine authority.
Because Lord Rāma’s displeasure shook the oceanic beings into panic, the Ocean personified came to appease Him with offerings and submission, preparing to speak and seek a resolution.
When confronted by consequences of one’s actions or higher principles, respond with humility, accountability, and respectful approach—like the Ocean approaching the Lord’s feet rather than resisting.