Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 18
Kurukṣetra Pilgrimage: Sages Praise Kṛṣṇa; Vasudeva Inquires on Karma; Viṣṇu-yajña Performed
अथापि काले स्वजनाभिगुप्तये बिभर्षि सत्त्वं खलनिग्रहाय च । स्वलीलया वेदपथं सनातनं वर्णाश्रमात्मा पुरुष: परो भवान् ॥ १८ ॥
athāpi kāle sva-janābhiguptaye bibharṣi sattvaṁ khala-nigrahāya ca sva-līlayā veda-pathaṁ sanātanaṁ varṇāśramātmā puruṣaḥ paro bhavān
Nonetheless, at suitable times You assume the pure mode of goodness to protect Your devotees and punish the wicked. Thus You, the Soul of the varṇāśrama social order, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, maintain the eternal path of the Vedas by enjoying Your pleasure pastimes.
This verse describes the Lord’s enlightening people in general ( jana-saṅgraha ) and His imitation of worldly behavior. Because the Personality of Godhead remains always perfect, the body He manifests when He comes to this world is not touched by material goodness; rather, it is a manifestation of the pure goodness known as viśuddha-sattva, the same spiritual substance that constitutes His original form.
FAQs
This verse says that at the right time the Lord assumes sattva (goodness) to protect His own people and to subdue harmful, irreligious forces.
It states that the Lord is the very soul of varṇāśrama and that, through His līlā, He establishes the eternal Vedic path so society can be guided toward dharma and devotion.
Align daily life with sattva—truthfulness, self-control, compassion—and follow one’s duties in a God-centered way, seeing dharma as meant to support bhakti and protection of spiritual values.