Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 27
Rāsa-līlā Begins; Divine Multiplication; Moral Doubt and Its Resolution
श्रीपरीक्षिदुवाच संस्थापनाय धर्मस्य प्रशमायेतरस्य च । अवतीर्णो हि भगवानंशेन जगदीश्वर: ॥ २६ ॥ स कथं धर्मसेतूनां वक्ता कर्ताभिरक्षिता । प्रतीपमाचरद् ब्रह्मन् परदाराभिमर्शनम् ॥ २७ ॥
śrī-parīkṣid uvāca saṁsthāpanāya dharmasya praśamāyetarasya ca avatīrṇo hi bhagavān aṁśena jagad-īśvaraḥ
Parīkṣit Mahārāja said: O brāhmaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the universe, has descended to this earth along with His plenary portion to destroy irreligion and reestablish religious principles. Indeed, He is the original speaker, follower and guardian of moral laws. How, then, could He have violated them by touching other men’s wives?
As Śukadeva Gosvāmī was speaking, King Parīkṣit noticed that some persons seated in the assembly on the bank of the Ganges were harboring doubt about the Lord’s activities. These doubtful persons were karmīs, jñānīs and others who were not devotees of the Lord. To clear up their doubts, King Parīkṣit asks this question on their behalf.
FAQs
Parīkṣit raises the doubt that the Lord establishes dharma, so His intimate dealings with others’ wives seem contrary; the narrative addresses this by distinguishing the Lord’s transcendental līlā from worldly morality and by clarifying His role as the ultimate protector of dharma.
Because Śukadeva was describing the Rāsa-līlā, and Parīkṣit—concerned for dharma—requested a clear reconciliation: how the Lord who sets religious boundaries could act in a way that appears opposed to them.
Do not imitate divine līlās or justify misconduct by quoting them; instead, seek proper understanding from scripture and saintly teachers, and follow dharma while cultivating pure devotion.