Viśvarūpa’s Death, Vṛtrāsura’s Manifestation, and the Devas’ Surrender to Nārāyaṇa
यस्योरुशृङ्गे जगतीं स्वनावं मनुर्यथाबध्य ततार दुर्गम् । स एव नस्त्वाष्ट्रभयाद्दुरन्तात् त्राताश्रितान्वारिचरोऽपि नूनम् ॥ २३ ॥
yasyoru-śṛṅge jagatīṁ sva-nāvaṁ manur yathābadhya tatāra durgam sa eva nas tvāṣṭra-bhayād durantāt trātāśritān vāricaro ’pi nūnam
May that Matsya-avatāra, upon whose mighty horn Manu Satyavrata bound the little boat bearing the whole world and thus crossed the peril of the flood, surely protect us who take shelter—from the dreadful, inescapable fear born of the son of Tvaṣṭā.
This verse teaches that those who take shelter of the Lord are protected even from seemingly insurmountable भय (fear), as Indra recalls the Lord’s saving act as Matsya and prays for the same protection from Vṛtra.
Indra cites the Lord’s past deliverance of Manu and the earth during the flood to strengthen his plea: the same Supreme Protector who saved the world before can save the devas now from Vṛtra.
Remembering the Lord’s past help and consciously taking refuge in Him—through prayer, steadiness in dharma, and devotion—builds courage and clarity when facing overwhelming crises.