Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 18
Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
तांस्तथावसितान् वीक्ष्य यज्ञ: सर्वगतो हरि: । यामै: परिवृतो देवैर्हत्वाशासत् त्रिविष्टपम् ॥ १८ ॥
tāṁs tathāvasitān vīkṣya yajñaḥ sarva-gato hariḥ yāmaiḥ parivṛto devair hatvāśāsat tri-viṣṭapam
Als Er sah, wie sie so entschlossen waren, erschien Hari, der Allgegenwärtige im Herzen eines jeden, als Yajñapati. Umgeben von Seinen Söhnen, den Yāmas, und den übrigen Devas, tötete Er die Dämonen und Rākṣasas; dann übernahm Er das Amt Indras und herrschte über das Himmelsreich.
The various names of the demigods — Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, Lord Indra and so on — are not personal names; they are names of different posts. In this regard, we understand that Lord Viṣṇu sometimes becomes Brahmā or Indra when there is no suitable person to occupy these posts.
FAQs
In this verse, Yajña is identified with Hari (Viṣṇu)—the Lord appearing as the personified sacrifice who protects cosmic order.
It states that when the devas were overwhelmed, Hari (as Yajña), accompanied by the Yāmas, destroyed the aggressors and re-established order in Svarga.
It teaches trust that the Lord restores dharma when one is helpless—encouraging steady bhakti, prayer, and alignment with righteous duty even in crisis.