Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
कृतं पुरा भगवत: कपिलस्यानुवर्णितम् । आख्यास्ये भगवान्यज्ञो यच्चकार कुरूद्वह ॥ ६ ॥
kṛtaṁ purā bhagavataḥ kapilasyānuvarṇitam ākhyāsye bhagavān yajño yac cakāra kurūdvaha
O best of the Kurus, I have already described the deeds of Kapila, the son of Devahūti. Now I shall describe the deeds of Yajñapati (Yajña), the son of Ākūti.
In this verse, Śukadeva introduces Bhagavān Yajña as a form of the Supreme Lord whose deeds he is about to narrate in Canto 8, Chapter 1.
‘Kurūdvaha’ means “foremost of the Kuru dynasty,” a respectful address highlighting Parīkṣit’s noble lineage and worthiness to hear the Lord’s pastimes.
It encourages attentive hearing (śravaṇa) of the Lord’s incarnations and deeds, recognizing that Bhagavatam’s teachings are interconnected and meant to deepen devotion.