Text 22] The Appearance of the Demon Vrtrasura 113

Sri-devah ticuh—the demigods said; va@yu—composed of air; am-
bara—sky; agni—fire; ap—water; ksitayah—and land; tri-lokah—the
three worlds; brahma-ddayah—beginning from Lord Brahma; ye—
who; vayam—we; udvijantah—being very much afraid; harama—
offer; yasmai—unto whom; balim—presentation; antakah—the
destroyer, death; asau—that; bibheti—fears; yasmat—from whom;
aranam—shelter; tatah—therefore; nah—our.

TRANSLATION

The demigods said: The three worlds are created by the five ele-
ments—namely ether, air, fire, water and earth—which are con-
trolled by various demigods, beginning from Lord Brahma. Being
very much afraid that the time factor will end our existence, we
offer presentations unto time by performing our work as time dic-
tates. The time factor himself, however, is afraid of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. Therefore let us now worship that
Supreme Lord, who alone can give us full protection.

PURPORT

When one is afraid of being killed, one must take shelter of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is worshiped by all the demigods.
beginning from Brahma, although they are in charge of the various ele-
ments of this material world. The words bibheti yasmat indicate that all
the demons, regardless of how great and powerful, fear the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. The demigods, being afraid of death, took
shelter of the Lord and offered Him these prayers. Although the time
factor is fearful to everyone, fear personified is afraid of the Supreme
Lord, who is therefore known as abhaya, fearless. Taking shelter of the
Supreme Lord brings actual fearlessness, and therefore the demigods
decided to take shelter of the Lord.

TEXT 22
afafad ¢ sfiqoteni
a
ata STA TA AMAA |
