Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 23
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
Đấng Matsya-avatāra có chiếc sừng lớn, nơi Manu Satyavrata đã buộc chiếc thuyền nhỏ chở cả thế gian để vượt qua hiểm nạn đại hồng thủy; xin chính Hóa thân Cá thiêng ấy cứu độ chúng con, những kẻ nương tựa, khỏi nỗi kinh hoàng khó tránh do con trai của Tvaṣṭā gây nên.
FAQs
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.