Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 46
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
शिरो मत्पादयो: कृत्वा बाहुभ्यां च परस्परम् । प्रपन्नं पाहि मामीश भीतं मृत्युग्रहार्णवात् ॥ ४६ ॥
śiro mat-pādayoḥ kṛtvā bāhubhyāṁ ca parasparam prapannaṁ pāhi mām īśa bhītaṁ mṛtyu-grahārṇavāt
Placing his head at the Deity’s feet, he should then stand before the Lord with folded hands and pray: “O Īśa, protect me, for I am surrendered to You. I fear this ocean of saṁsāra, as if I were standing in the mouth of death.”
FAQs
It teaches that a devotee should physically and mentally take shelter of the Lord—bowing at His feet and clinging to Him in devotion—while praying for protection as a surrendered soul.
The verse portrays saṁsāra as a vast ocean where death can seize anyone unexpectedly, like a crocodile; therefore the safest refuge is wholehearted surrender to the Lord.
Turn fear into prayer: remember the Lord, offer a humble surrender (“I am Yours—please protect me”), and take shelter of devotional practice (especially sincere worship and remembrance) as your steady refuge.