Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 49
Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage
अस्मिन्नप्यन्तरे ब्रह्मन् भगवान्लोकभावन: । ब्रह्मेशाद्यैर्लोकपालैर्याचितो धर्मगुप्तये ॥ ४८ ॥ पराशरात् सत्यवत्यामंशांशकलया विभु: । अवतीर्णो महाभाग वेदं चक्रे चतुर्विधम् ॥ ४९ ॥
asminn apy antare brahman bhagavān loka-bhāvanaḥ brahmeśādyair loka-pālair yācito dharma-guptaye
O brāhmaṇa, in this age of Vaivasvata Manu, the rulers of the universe—headed by Brahmā and Śiva—entreated Bhagavān, the sustainer of all worlds, to protect the principles of dharma. O most fortunate Śaunaka, that almighty Lord, manifesting a divine spark of a portion of His plenary portion, appeared in the womb of Satyavatī as the son of Parāśara and, as Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, divided the one Veda into four.
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme Lord, the benefactor of all worlds, is petitioned by Brahmā, Śiva, and the lokapālas to safeguard dharma—showing that divine protection of righteousness is central to the Bhagavatam.
Because dharma required protection; as cosmic administrators, Brahmā, Śiva, and the lokapālas appeal to the Supreme Lord, who alone can fully restore and uphold righteousness.
Align daily choices with truthfulness, compassion, and self-discipline, and support spiritual study and practice—seeing dharma as something to be actively preserved in one’s conduct.