Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 43
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
नान्यं तवाङ्घ्र्युपनयादपवर्गमूर्ते: क्षेमं जनस्य परितोभिय ईश विद्म: । ब्रह्मा बिभेत्यलमतो द्विपरार्धधिष्ण्य: कालस्य ते किमुत तत्कृतभौतिकानाम् ॥ ४३ ॥
nānyaṁ tavāṅghry-upanayād apavarga-mūrteḥ kṣemaṁ janasya parito-bhiya īśa vidmaḥ brahmā bibhety alam ato dvi-parārdha-dhiṣṇyaḥ kālasya te kim uta tat-kṛta-bhautikānām
O Īśa, You are the very embodiment of apavarga, liberation. For people surrounded by fear, I know no true relief except taking shelter of Your lotus feet. Even Brahmā, whose post endures for two parārdhas, fears the power of time—what then of the conditioned beings he creates?
FAQs
This verse says there is no true welfare or safety for people surrounded by fear except approaching and taking shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet, who is the very embodiment of liberation.
Because Kāla is the Lord’s controlling potency—so powerful that even Brahmā’s extremely long lifespan and exalted post cannot protect him from time’s influence.
Recognize that worldly arrangements cannot remove deep insecurity; cultivate steady bhakti—remembering the Lord, prayer, and surrender—to find inner protection beyond changing time and circumstances.