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
देवतेच्या चरणांवर मस्तक ठेवून, मग हात जोडून प्रभूसमोर उभा राहून प्रार्थना करावी—“हे ईश! मी तुझ्या शरण आलो आहे; माझे रक्षण कर. या संसार-सागरास मी भयभीत आहे, जणू मृत्यूच्या मुखाशी उभा आहे।”
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.