The demigods said: Dear Lord, formerly, when there was a devastation, You conserved all the different energies of material manifestation. At that time, all the inhabitants of the higher planets, represented by such liberated souls as Sanaka, were meditating on You by philosophical speculation. You are therefore the original person, and You rest in the water of devastation on the bed of the Śeṣa snake. Now, today, You are visible to us, who are all Your servants. Please give us protection.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
देवा ऊचुः । पुरा कल्पापाये स्वकृतमुदरीकृत्य विकृतं त्वमेवाद्यस्तस्मिन् सलिल उरगेन्द्राधिशयने । पुमान् शेषे सिद्धैर्हृदि विमृशिताध्यात्मपदविः स एवाद्याक्ष्णोर्यः पथि चरसि भृत्यानवसि नः
devā ūcuḥ | purā kalpāpāye svakṛtamudarīkṛtya vikṛtaṃ tvamevādyastasmin salila uragendrādhiśayane | pumān śeṣe siddhairhṛdi vimṛśitādhyātmapadaviḥ sa evādyākṣṇoryaḥ pathi carasi bhṛtyānavasi naḥ
SB 4.7.42