Shloka 26
Viṣṇu as Seed-Cause: Pañcarātra Emanations, Tattva-Unfolding, and the Avatāra Chronology
ततः कलौ संप्रवृत्ते हरिस्तु संमोहनार्थं चासुराणां खगेन्द्र / नाम्ना बुद्धो कीकटेषु प्रजातो वेदप्रमाणं निराकर्तुमेव
tataḥ kalau saṃpravṛtte haristu saṃmohanārthaṃ cāsurāṇāṃ khagendra / nāmnā buddho kīkaṭeṣu prajāto vedapramāṇaṃ nirākartumeva
তারপর কলিযুগ প্রবৃত্ত হলে, হে খগেন্দ্র গরুড়, অসুরদের মোহিত করতে এবং বেদের প্রমাণ অস্বীকার করতেই হরি ‘বুদ্ধ’ নামে কীকটদেশে আবির্ভূত হলেন।
Lord Vishnu (Hari) addressing Garuda (Khagendra/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Īśvara’s līlā employs māyā to redirect adharmic beings; Veda-pramāṇa is upheld indirectly by portraying its rejection as a divine tactic for asura-delusion.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara’s māyā and avatāra-līlā; distinction between absolute truth and pedagogical/strategic revelation for different adhikārins.
Application: Maintain discernment (viveka) about pramāṇa and context; avoid being swept by Kali-era confusion; anchor practice in sāttvika dharma and authentic śāstra-guidance.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: janapada/region
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.15.27 (Kalki at yuga-sandhi); Garuda Purana 3.15.29-30 (non-difference and infinitude of Viṣṇu)
FAQs
This verse presents Buddha as a form assumed by Hari in Kali-yuga specifically to bewilder the asuras and to turn them away from Vedic authority, functioning as a divine strategy within the cosmic order.
By stating that the avatāra’s mission was to “reject Veda-pramāṇa,” the verse highlights the Vedas as a recognized standard of valid knowledge and dharmic authority within the Purāṇic worldview.
Use discernment about sources of spiritual authority: the verse urges readers to understand how teachings can influence moral direction, and to anchor personal dharma in tested, ethical, and scripturally grounded principles.