Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 5
Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti
Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties
वक्ता कर्ताविता नान्यो धर्मस्याच्युत ते भुवि । सभायामपि वैरिञ्च्यां यत्र मूर्तिधरा: कला: ॥ ५ ॥ कर्त्रावित्रा प्रवक्त्रा च भवता मधुसूदन । त्यक्ते महीतले देव विनष्टं क: प्रवक्ष्यति ॥ ६ ॥
vaktā kartāvitā nānyo dharmasyācyuta te bhuvi sabhāyām api vairiñcyāṁ yatra mūrti-dharāḥ kalāḥ
My dear Lord Acyuta, there is no speaker, creator and protector of supreme religious principles other than Your Lordship, either on the earth or even in the assembly of Lord Brahmā, where the personified Vedas reside. Thus, my dear Lord Madhusūdana, when You, who are the very creator, protector and speaker of spiritual knowledge, abandon the earth, who will again speak this lost knowledge?
FAQs
This verse declares that Krishna (Acyuta) alone is the true speaker, establisher, and protector of dharma—no one else can independently sustain it.
Uddhava recognizes that even great authorities (like those in Brahmā’s assembly) act through Krishna’s empowerment; therefore the ultimate source of dharma is Krishna Himself.
When moral guidance feels confusing, anchor decisions in devotion and scriptural principles centered on Krishna, seeing Him as the final authority behind genuine dharma.