Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 18
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
गुप्तोऽप्यये मनुरिलौषधयश्च मात्स्ये क्रौडे हतो दितिज उद्धरताम्भस: क्ष्माम् । कौर्मे धृतोऽद्रिरमृतोन्मथने स्वपृष्ठे ग्राहात् प्रपन्नमिभराजममुञ्चदार्तम् ॥ १८ ॥
gupto ’pyaye manur ilauṣadhayaś ca mātsye krauḍe hato diti-ja uddharatāmbhasaḥ kṣmām kaurme dhṛto ’drir amṛtonmathane sva-pṛṣṭhe grāhāt prapannam ibha-rājam amuñcad ārtam
主以鱼身（摩蹉）示现时，护持萨提亚弗拉塔·摩奴、护持大地与珍贵灵药，使其免于劫灭之水。主以野猪身（婆罗诃）示现时，诛杀底提之子希兰尼亚克沙，并从宇宙洪水中救出大地。主以龟身（俱尔摩）示现时，以背负持曼陀罗山，使乳海搅拌而甘露显现。主又从鳄鱼的紧缠中救度了投诚归依、痛苦不堪的象王伽金德罗。
FAQs
This verse lists multiple avatāras where the Lord intervenes—protecting Manu at pralaya, rescuing the earth as Varāha, sustaining the churning as Kūrma, and saving surrendered Gajendra—showing that divine protection follows sincere surrender.
Śukadeva highlights a consistent principle across different līlās: whether cosmic events (pralaya, earth’s rescue, nectar churning) or personal crisis (Gajendra), the Lord responds to surrender and protects those who take shelter of Him.
When overwhelmed, consciously turn to God with humility and trust—seek shelter through prayer, remembrance, and dharmic action—rather than relying only on ego or panic; the verse emphasizes relief comes through genuine dependence on the Lord.