Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa
Prelude to Samudra-manthana
अजस्य चक्रं त्वजयेर्यमाणं मनोमयं पञ्चदशारमाशु । त्रिनाभि विद्युच्चलमष्टनेमि यदक्षमाहुस्तमृतं प्रपद्ये ॥ २८ ॥
ajasya cakraṁ tv ajayeryamāṇaṁ manomayaṁ pañcadaśāram āśu tri-nābhi vidyuc-calam aṣṭa-nemi yad-akṣam āhus tam ṛtaṁ prapadye
物質的行為の輪において、この身体は心の戦車の車輪のようである。十の感官と五つのプラーナが十五の輻、三つのグナが中心、八つの自然要素が輪縁となり、外なるマーヤーが電力のごとく速やかに回転させる。その軸こそパラマートマー、アジタ、究極の真理。われらはその不死の主に帰依し、礼拝する。
The cycle of repeated birth and death is figuratively described herein. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (7.5) :
This verse describes time as a swift, lightning-like wheel that turns all beings, yet it ultimately rests upon and is governed by the Supreme Truth (Vishnu), the imperishable center.
Facing crisis and seeking divine protection, the Devas glorify Vishnu as the ultimate controller of time and the mind, taking refuge in Him as the only stable foundation amid cosmic change.
When life feels driven by anxiety and constant change, this shloka teaches grounding oneself in steady devotion—remembering the Lord as the unchanging center rather than being swept away by mental turbulence.