Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 1 · Chapter 3

Kṛṣṇa Is the Source of All Incarnations

1.3.1

सूत उवाच जगृहे पौरुषं रूपं भगवान्महदादिभि: । सम्भूतं षोडशकलमादौ लोकसिसृक्षया ॥ १ ॥

suta uvaca jagrhe paurusam rupam bhagavan mahad-adibhih sambhutam sodasa-kalam adau loka-sisrksaya

Suta said: In the beginning of the creation, the Lord first expanded Himself in the universal form of the purusa incarnation and manifested all the ingredients for the material creation. And thus at first there was the creation of the sixteen principles of material action. This was for the purpose of creating the material universe.

1.3.2

यस्याम्भसि शयानस्य योगनिद्रां वितन्वत: । नाभिह्रदाम्बुजादासीद्ब्रह्मा विश्वसृजां पति: ॥ २ ॥

yasyambhasi sayanasya yoga-nidram vitanvatah nabhi-hradambujad asid brahma visva-srjam patih

A part of the purusa lies down within the water of the universe, from the navel lake of His body sprouts a lotus stem, and from the lotus flower atop this stem, Brahma, the master of all engineers in the universe, becomes manifest.

1.3.3

यस्यावयवसंस्थानै: कल्पितो लोकविस्तर: । तद्वै भगवतो रूपं विशुद्धं सत्त्वमूर्जितम् ॥ ३ ॥

yasyavayava-samsthanaih kalpito loka-vistarah tad vai bhagavato rupam visuddham sattvam urjitam

It is believed that all the universal planeary systems are situated on the extensive body of the purusa, but He has nothing to do with the created material ingredients. His body is eternally in spiritual existence par excellence.

1.3.4

पश्यन्त्यदो रूपमदभ्रचक्षुषा सहस्रपादोरुभुजाननाद्भुतम् । सहस्रमूर्धश्रवणाक्षिनासिकं सहस्रमौल्यम्बरकुण्डलोल्लसत् ॥ ४ ॥

pasyanty ado rupam adabhra-caksusa sahasra-padoru-bhujananadbhutam sahasra-murdha-sravanaksi-nasikam sahasra-mauly-ambara-kundalollasat

The devotees, with their perfect eyes, see the transcendental form of the purusa who has thousands of legs, thighs, arms and faces—all extraordinary. In that body there are thousands of heads, ears, eyes and noses. They are decorated with thousands of helmets and glowing earrings and are adorned with garlands.

1.3.5

एतन्नानावताराणां निधानं बीजमव्ययम् । यस्यांशांशेन सृज्यन्ते देवतिर्यङ्‍नरादय: ॥ ५ ॥

etan nanavataranam nidhanam bijam avyayam yasyamsamsena srjyante deva-tiryan-naradayah

This form (the second manifestation of the purusa) is the source and indestructible seed of multifarious incarnations within the universe. From the particles and portions of this form, different living entities, like demigods, men and others, are created.

1.3.6

स एव प्रथमं देव: कौमारं सर्गमाश्रित: । चचार दुश्चरं ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मचर्यमखण्डितम् ॥ ६ ॥

sa eva prathamam devah kaumaram sargam asritah cacara duscaram brahma brahmacaryam akhanditam

First of all, in the beginning of creation, there were the four unmarried sons of Brahma (the Kumaras), who, being situated in a vow of celibacy, underwent severe austerities for realization of the Absolute Truth.

1.3.7

द्वितीयं तु भवायास्य रसातलगतां महीम् । उद्धरिष्यन्नुपादत्त यज्ञेश: सौकरं वपु: ॥ ७ ॥

dvitiyam tu bhavayasya rasatala-gatam mahim uddharisyann upadatta yajnesah saukaram vapuh

The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the incarnation of a boar (the second incarnation), and for the welfare of the earth He lifted the earth from the nether regions of the universe.

1.3.8

तृतीयमृषिसर्गं वै देवर्षित्वमुपेत्य स: । तन्त्रं सात्वतमाचष्ट नैष्कर्म्यं कर्मणां यत: ॥ ८ ॥

trtiyam rsi-sargam vai devarsitvam upetya sah tantram satvatam acasta naiskarmyam karmanam yatah

In the millennium of the rsis, the Personality of Godhead accepted the third empowered incarnation in the form of Devarsi Narada, who is a great sage among the demigods. He collected expositions of the Vedas which deal with devotional service and which inspire nonfruitive action.

1.3.9

तुर्ये धर्मकलासर्गे नरनारायणावृषी । भूत्वात्मोपशमोपेतमकरोद्दुश्चरं तप: ॥ ९ ॥

turye dharma-kala-sarge nara-narayanav rsi bhutvatmopasamopetam akarod duscaram tapah

In the fourth incarnation, the Lord became Nara and Narayana, the twin sons of the wife of King Dharma. Thus He undertook severe and exemplary penances to control the senses.

1.3.10

पञ्चम: कपिलो नाम सिद्धेश: कालविप्लुतम् । प्रोवाचासुरये साङ्ख्यं तत्त्वग्रामविनिर्णयम् ॥ १० ॥

pancamah kapilo nama siddhesah kala-viplutam provacasuraye sankhyam tattva-grama-vinirnayam

The fifth incarnation, named Lord Kapila, is foremost among perfected beings. He gave an exposition of the creative elements and metaphysics to Asuri Brahmana, for in course of time this knowledge had been lost.

1.3.11

षष्ठमत्रेरपत्यत्वं वृत: प्राप्तोऽनसूयया । आन्वीक्षिकीमलर्काय प्रह्लादादिभ्य ऊचिवान् ॥ ११ ॥

sastham atrer apatyatvam vrtah prapto ’nasuyaya anviksikim alarkaya prahladadibhya ucivan

The sixth incarnation of the purusa was the son of the sage Atri. He was born from the womb of Anasuya, who prayed for an incarnation. He spoke on the subject of transcendence to Alarka, Prahlada and others (Yadu, Haihaya, etc.).

1.3.12

तत: सप्तम आकूत्यां रुचेर्यज्ञोऽभ्यजायत । स यामाद्यै: सुरगणैरपात्स्वायम्भुवान्तरम् ॥ १२ ॥

tatah saptama akutyam rucer yajno ’bhyajayata sa yamadyaih sura-ganair apat svayambhuvantaram

The seventh incarnation was Yajna, the son of Prajapati Ruci and his wife Akuti. He controlled the period during the change of the Svayambhuva Manu and was assisted by demigods such as His son Yama.

1.3.13

अष्टमे मेरुदेव्यां तु नाभेर्जात उरुक्रम: । दर्शयन् वर्त्म धीराणां सर्वाश्रमनमस्कृतम् ॥ १३ ॥

astame merudevyam tu nabher jata urukramah darsayan vartma dhiranam sarvasrama-namaskrtam

The eighth incarnation was King Rsabha, son of King Nabhi and his wife Merudevi. In this incarnation the Lord showed the path of perfection, which is followed by those who have fully controlled their senses and who are honored by all orders of life.

1.3.14

ऋषिभिर्याचितो भेजे नवमं पार्थिवं वपु: । दुग्धेमामोषधीर्विप्रास्तेनायं स उशत्तम: ॥ १४ ॥

rsibhir yacito bheje navamam parthivam vapuh dugdhemam osadhir vipras tenayam sa usattamah

O brahmanas, in the ninth incarnation, the Lord, prayed for by sages, accepted the body of a king (Prthu) who cultivated the land to yield various produces, and for that reason the earth was beautiful and attractive.

1.3.15

रूपं स जगृहे मात्स्यं चाक्षुषोदधिसम्प्लवे । नाव्यारोप्य महीमय्यामपाद्वैवस्वतं मनुम् ॥ १५ ॥

rupam sa jagrhe matsyam caksusodadhi-samplave navy aropya mahi-mayyam apad vaivasvatam manum

When there was a complete inundation after the period of the Caksusa Manu and the whole world was deep within water, the Lord accepted the form of a fish and protected Vaivasvata Manu, keeping him up on a boat.

1.3.16

सुरासुराणामुदधिं मथ्नतां मन्दराचलम् । दध्रे कमठरूपेण पृष्ठ एकादशे विभु: ॥ १६ ॥

surasuranam udadhim mathnatam mandaracalam dadhre kamatha-rupena prstha ekadase vibhuh

The eleventh incarnation of the Lord took the form of a tortoise whose shell served as a pivot for the Mandaracala Hill, which was being used as a churning rod by the theists and atheists of the universe.

1.3.17

धान्वन्तरं द्वादशमं त्रयोदशममेव च । अपाययत्सुरानन्यान्मोहिन्या मोहयन् स्त्रिया ॥ १७ ॥

dhanvantaram dvadasamam trayodasamam eva ca apayayat suran anyan mohinya mohayan striya

In the twelfth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Dhanvantari, and in the thirteenth He allured the atheists by the charming beauty of a woman and gave nectar to the demigods to drink.

1.3.18

चतुर्दशं नारसिंहं बिभ्रद्दैत्येन्द्रमूर्जितम् । ददार करजैरूरावेरकां कटकृद्यथा ॥ १८ ॥

caturdasam narasimham bibhrad daityendram urjitam dadara karajair urav erakam kata-krd yatha

In the fourteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Nrsimha and bifurcated the strong body of the atheist Hiranyakasipu with His nails, just as a carpenter pierces cane.

1.3.19

पञ्चदशं वामनकं कृत्वागादध्वरं बले: । पदत्रयं याचमान: प्रत्यादित्सुस्त्रिपिष्टपम् ॥ १९ ॥

pancadasam vamanakam krtvagad adhvaram baleh pada-trayam yacamanah pratyaditsus tri-pistapam

In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana (Vamana) and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Maharaja Bali. Although at heart He was willing to regain the kingdom of the three planeary systems, He simply asked for a donation of three steps of land.

1.3.20

अवतारे षोडशमे पश्यन् ब्रह्मद्रुहो नृपान् । त्रि:सप्तकृत्व: कुपितो नि:क्षत्रामकरोन्महीम् ॥ २० ॥

avatare sodasame pasyan brahma-druho nrpan trih-sapta-krtvah kupito nih-ksatram akaron mahim

In the sixteenth incarnation of the Godhead, the Lord (as Bhrgupati) annihilated the administrative class (ksatriyas) twenty-one times, being angry with them because of their rebellion against the brahmanas (the intelligent class).

1.3.21

तत: सप्तदशे जात: सत्यवत्यां पराशरात् । चक्रे वेदतरो: शाखा द‍ृष्ट्वा पुंसोऽल्पमेधस: ॥ २१ ॥

tatah saptadase jatah satyavatyam parasarat cakre veda-taroh sakha drstva pumso ’lpa-medhasah

Thereafter, in the seventeenth incarnation of Godhead, Sri Vyasadeva appeared in the womb of Satyavati through Parasara Muni, and he divided the one Veda into several branches and subbranches, seeing that the people in general were less intelligent.

1.3.22

नरदेवत्वमापन्न: सुरकार्यचिकीर्षया । समुद्रनिग्रहादीनि चक्रे वीर्याण्यत: परम् ॥ २२ ॥

nara-devatvam apannah sura-karya-cikirsaya samudra-nigrahadini cakre viryany atah param

In the eighteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as King Rama. In order to perform some pleasing work for the demigods, He exhibited superhuman powers by controlling the Indian Ocean and then killing the atheist King Ravana, who was on the other side of the sea.

1.3.23

एकोनविंशे विंशतिमे वृष्णिषु प्राप्य जन्मनी । रामकृष्णाविति भुवो भगवानहरद्भ‍रम् ॥ २३ ॥

ekonavimse vimsatime vrsnisu prapya janmani rama-krsnav iti bhuvo bhagavan aharad bharam

In the nineteenth and twentieth incarnations, the Lord advented Himself as Lord Balarama and Lord Krsna in the family of Vrsni (the Yadu dynasty), and by so doing He removed the burden of the world.

1.3.24

तत: कलौ सम्प्रवृत्ते सम्मोहाय सुरद्विषाम् । बुद्धो नाम्नाञ्जनसुत: कीकटेषु भविष्यति ॥ २४ ॥

tatah kalau sampravrtte sammohaya sura-dvisam buddho namnanjana-sutah kikatesu bhavisyati

Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Anjana, in the province of Gaya, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.

1.3.25

अथासौ युगसन्ध्यायां दस्युप्रायेषु राजसु । जनिता विष्णुयशसो नाम्ना कल्किर्जगत्पति: ॥ २५ ॥

athasau yuga-sandhyayam dasyu-prayesu rajasu janita visnu-yasaso namna kalkir jagat-patih

Thereafter, at the conjunction of two yugas, the Lord of the creation will take His birth as the Kalki incarnation and become the son of Visnu Yasa. At this time the rulers of the earth will have degenerated into plunderers.

1.3.26

अवतारा ह्यसङ्ख्येया हरे: सत्त्वनिधेर्द्विजा: । यथाविदासिन: कुल्या: सरस: स्यु: सहस्रश: ॥ २६ ॥

avatara hy asankhyeya hareh sattva-nidher dvijah yathavidasinah kulyah sarasah syuh sahasrasah

O brahmanas, the incarnations of the Lord are innumerable, like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water.

1.3.27

ऋषयो मनवो देवा मनुपुत्रा महौजस: । कला: सर्वे हरेरेव सप्रजापतय: स्मृता: ॥ २७ ॥

rsayo manavo deva manu-putra mahaujasah kalah sarve harer eva saprajapatayah smrtah

All the rsis, Manus, demigods and descendants of Manu, who are especially powerful, are plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord. This also includes the Prajapatis.

1.3.28

एते चांशकला: पुंस: कृष्णस्तु भगवान् स्वयम् । इन्द्रारिव्याकुलं लोकं मृडयन्ति युगे युगे ॥ २८ ॥

ete camsa-kalah pumsah krsnas tu bhagavan svayam indrari-vyakulam lokam mrdayanti yuge yuge

All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Sri Krsna is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planes whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.

1.3.29

जन्म गुह्यं भगवतो य एतत्प्रयतो नर: । सायं प्रातर्गृणन् भक्त्या दु:खग्रामाद्विमुच्यते ॥ २९ ॥

janma guhyam bhagavato ya etat prayato narah sayam pratar grnan bhaktya duhkha-gramad vimucyate

Whoever carefully recites the mysterious appearances of the Lord, with devotion in the morning and in the evening, gets relief from all miseries of life.

1.3.30

एतद्रूपं भगवतो ह्यरूपस्य चिदात्मन: । मायागुणैर्विरचितं महदादिभिरात्मनि ॥ ३० ॥

etad rupam bhagavato hy arupasya cid-atmanah maya-gunair viracitam mahadadibhir atmani

The conception of the virat universal form of the Lord, as appearing in the material world, is imaginary. It is to enable the less intelligent (and neophytes) to adjust to the idea of the Lord’s having form. But factually the Lord has no material form.

1.3.31

यथा नभसि मेघौघो रेणुर्वा पार्थिवोऽनिले । एवं द्रष्टरि द‍ृश्यत्वमारोपितमबुद्धिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥

yatha nabhasi meghaugho renur va parthivo ’nile evam drastari drsyatvam aropitam abuddhibhih

Clouds and dust are carried by the air, but less intelligent persons say that the sky is cloudy and the air is dirty. Similarly, they also implant material bodily conceptions on the spirit self.

1.3.32

अत: परं यदव्यक्तमव्यूढगुणबृंहितम् । अद‍ृष्टाश्रुतवस्तुत्वात्स जीवो यत्पुनर्भव: ॥ ३२ ॥

atah param yad avyaktam avyudha-guna-brmhitam adrstasruta-vastutvat sa jivo yat punar-bhavah

Beyond this gross conception of form is another, subtle conception of form which is without formal shape and is unseen, unheard and unmanifest. The living being has his form beyond this subtlety, otherwise he could not have repeated births.

1.3.33

यत्रेमे सदसद्रूपे प्रतिषिद्धे स्वसंविदा । अविद्ययात्मनि कृते इति तद्ब्रह्मदर्शनम् ॥ ३३ ॥

yatreme sad-asad-rupe pratisiddhe sva-samvida avidyayatmani krte iti tad brahma-darsanam

Whenever a person experiences, by self-realization, that both the gross and subtle bodies have nothing to do with the pure self, at that time he sees himself as well as the Lord.

1.3.34

यद्येषोपरता देवी माया वैशारदी मति: । सम्पन्न एवेति विदुर्महिम्नि स्वे महीयते ॥ ३४ ॥

yady esoparata devi maya vaisaradi matih sampanna eveti vidur mahimni sve mahiyate

If the illusory energy subsides and the living entity becomes fully enriched with knowledge by the grace of the Lord, then he becomes at once enlightened with self-realization and thus becomes situated in his own glory.

1.3.35

एवं जन्मानि कर्माणि ह्यकर्तुरजनस्य च । वर्णयन्ति स्म कवयो वेदगुह्यानि हृत्पते: ॥ ३५ ॥

evam janmani karmani hy akartur ajanasya ca varnayanti sma kavayo veda-guhyani hrt-pateh

Thus learned men describe the births and activities of the unborn and inactive, which is undiscoverable even in the Vedic literatures. He is the Lord of the heart.

1.3.36

स वा इदं विश्वममोघलील: सृजत्यवत्यत्ति न सज्जतेऽस्मिन् । भूतेषु चान्तर्हित आत्मतन्त्र: षाड्‍वर्गिकं जिघ्रति षड्‍गुणेश: ॥ ३६ ॥

sa va idam visvam amogha-lilah srjaty avaty atti na sajjate ’smin bhutesu cantarhita atma-tantrah sad-vargikam jighrati sad-gunesah

The Lord, whose activities are always spotless, is the master of the six senses and is fully omnipotent with six opulences. He creates the manifested universes, maintains them and annihilates them without being in the least affected. He is within every living being and is always independent.

1.3.37

न चास्य कश्चिन्निपुणेन धातु- रवैति जन्तु: कुमनीष ऊती: । नामानि रूपाणि मनोवचोभि: सन्तन्वतो नटचर्यामिवाज्ञ: ॥ ३७ ॥

na casya kascin nipunena dhatur avaiti jantuh kumanisa utih namani rupani mano-vacobhih santanvato nata-caryam ivajnah

The foolish with a poor fund of knowledge cannot know the transcendental nature of the forms, names and activities of the Lord, who is playing like an actor in a drama. Nor can they express such things, neither in their speculations nor in their words.

1.3.38

स वेद धातु: पदवीं परस्य दुरन्तवीर्यस्य रथाङ्गपाणे: । योऽमायया सन्ततयानुवृत्त्या भजेत तत्पादसरोजगन्धम् ॥ ३८ ॥

sa veda dhatuh padavim parasya duranta-viryasya rathanga-paneh yo ’mayaya santatayanuvrttya bhajeta tat-pada-saroja-gandham

Only those who render unreserved, uninterrupted, favorable service unto the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who carries the wheel of the chariot in His hand, can know the creator of the universe in His full glory, power and transcendence.

1.3.39

अथेह धन्या भगवन्त इत्थं यद्वासुदेवेऽखिललोकनाथे । कुर्वन्ति सर्वात्मकमात्मभावं न यत्र भूय: परिवर्त उग्र: ॥ ३९ ॥

atheha dhanya bhagavanta ittham yad vasudeve ’khila-loka-nathe kurvanti sarvatmakam atma-bhavam na yatra bhuyah parivarta ugrah

Only by making such inquiries in this world can one be successful and perfectly cognizant, for such inquiries invoke transcendental ecstatic love unto the Personality of Godhead, who is the proprietor of all the universes, and guarantee cent-percent immunity from the dreadful repetition of birth and death.

1.3.40

इदं भागवतं नाम पुराणं ब्रह्मसम्मितम् । उत्तमश्लोकचरितं चकार भगवानृषि: । नि:श्रेयसाय लोकस्य धन्यं स्वस्त्ययनं महत् ॥ ४० ॥

idam bhagavatam nama puranam brahma-sammitam uttama-sloka-caritam cakara bhagavan rsih nihsreyasaya lokasya dhanyam svasty-ayanam mahat

This Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and it is compiled by Srila Vyasadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.

1.3.41

तदिदं ग्राहयामास सुतमात्मवतां वरम् । सर्ववेदेतिहासानां सारं सारं समुद्‍धृतम् ॥ ४१ ॥

tad idam grahayam asa sutam atmavatam varam sarva-vedetihasanam saram saram samuddhrtam

Sri Vyasadeva delivered it to his son, who is the most respected among the self-realized, after extracting the cream of all Vedic literatures and histories of the universe.

1.3.42

स तु संश्रावयामास महाराजं परीक्षितम् । प्रायोपविष्टं गङ्गायां परीतं परमर्षिभि: ॥ ४२ ॥

sa tu samsravayam asa maharajam pariksitam prayopavistam gangayam paritam paramarsibhih

Sukadeva Gosvami, the son of Vyasadeva, in his turn delivered the Bhagavatam to the great Emperor Pariksit, who sat surrounded by sages on the bank of the Ganges, awaiting death without taking food or drink.

1.3.43

कृष्णे स्वधामोपगते धर्मज्ञानादिभि: सह । कलौ नष्टद‍ृशामेष पुराणार्कोऽधुनोदित: ॥ ४३ ॥

krsne sva-dhamopagate dharma-jnanadibhih saha kalau nasta-drsam esa puranarko ’dhunoditah

This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana.

1.3.44

तत्र कीर्तयतो विप्रा विप्रर्षेर्भूरितेजस: । अहं चाध्यगमं तत्र निविष्टस्तदनुग्रहात् । सोऽहं व: श्रावयिष्यामि यथाधीतं यथामति ॥ ४४ ॥

tatra kirtayato vipra viprarser bhuri-tejasah aham cadhyagamam tatra nivistas tad-anugrahat so ’ham vah sravayisyami yathadhitam yatha-mati

O learned brahmanas, when Sukadeva Gosvami recited Bhagavatam there (in the presence of Emperor Pariksit), I heard him with rapt attention, and thus, by his mercy, I learned the Bhagavatam from that great and powerful sage. Now I shall try to make you hear the very same thing as I learned it from him and as I have realized it.