Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 23
Varṣa-devatā Worship in Jambūdvīpa: Hayagrīva/Hayaśīrṣa, Nṛsiṁha, Kāmadeva (Pradyumna), Matsya, Kūrma, and Varāha
स त्वं ममाप्यच्युत शीर्ष्णि वन्दितं कराम्बुजं यत्त्वदधायि सात्वताम् । बिभर्षि मां लक्ष्म वरेण्य मायया क ईश्वरस्येहितमूहितुं विभुरिति ॥ २३ ॥
sa tvaṁ mamāpy acyuta śīrṣṇi vanditaṁ karāmbujaṁ yat tvad-adhāyi sātvatām bibharṣi māṁ lakṣma vareṇya māyayā ka īśvarasyehitam ūhituṁ vibhur iti
O Acyuta, Your lotus palm is the fountain of all auspicious benediction; therefore the pure Sātvata devotees worship it, and You, in mercy, place that hand upon their heads. I too long that You may place it upon my head. Although You bear upon Your chest the insignia of my golden streaks, I deem that honor only false prestige for me; Your true compassion is shown to Your devotees, not to me. You are the Supreme Lord, the absolute controller—who can fathom Your intent?
In many places, the śāstras describe the Supreme Personality of Godhead as being more inclined toward His devotees than toward His wife, who always remains on His chest. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.14.15) it is stated:
FAQs
This verse teaches that the Supreme Lord’s intentions are ultimately beyond complete human inference—His actions are guided by His superior, inconceivable potency (māyā/śakti).
She expresses humility and devotion, honoring the Lord’s lotus hand as supremely worshipable, and acknowledges that the same hand especially blesses and protects His devotees (sātvatas).
Do your duty with devotion, accept outcomes without resentment, and remember that the Lord’s arrangement may be higher than what we can immediately understand.