Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 11
Daśa-lakṣaṇam: The Ten Topics, Virāṭ-Puruṣa Sense-Manifestation, and the Supreme Shelter (Āśraya)
तास्ववात्सीत् स्वसृष्टासु सहस्रंपरिवत्सरान् । तेन नारायणो नाम यदाप: पुरुषोद्भवा: ॥ ११ ॥
tāsv avātsīt sva-sṛṣṭāsu sahasraṁ parivatsarān tena nārāyaṇo nāma yad āpaḥ puruṣodbhavāḥ
Đức Chí Tôn an trụ trong dòng nước do chính Ngài tạo ra suốt ngàn năm. Nước phát sinh từ Đấng Purusha tối thượng gọi là ‘nāra’; vì Ngài nằm trên nước ấy nên được tôn xưng là ‘Nārāyaṇa’.
FAQs
This verse explains that the Lord is called Nārāyaṇa because He dwells in the primeval waters (nāra), which arise from the Supreme Person, and He is their shelter and source.
Śukadeva is teaching Parīkṣit the Bhagavatam’s creation framework—showing that the universe begins from the Lord alone, who first manifests and rests within the causal waters before further creation unfolds.
Remembering that all origins and supports rest in the Supreme helps reduce anxiety and ego, strengthening surrender (śaraṇāgati) and steady devotional focus amid changing circumstances.