Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 21
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
नि:क्षत्रियामकृत गां च त्रि:सप्तकृत्वो रामस्तु हैहयकुलाप्ययभार्गवाग्नि: । सोऽब्धिं बबन्ध दशवक्त्रमहन् सलङ्कं सीतापतिर्जयति लोकमलघ्नकीर्ति: ॥ २१ ॥
niḥkṣatriyām akṛta gāṁ ca triḥ-sapta-kṛtvo rāmas tu haihaya-kulāpyaya-bhārgavāgniḥ so ’bdhiṁ babandha daśa-vaktram ahan sa-laṅkaṁ sītā-patir jayati loka-mala-ghna-kīṛtiḥ
As Paraśurāma, born in the line of Bhṛgu like a consuming fire, the Lord burned the Haihaya dynasty to ashes and thus made the earth bereft of kṣatriyas twenty-one times. The same Lord appeared as Rāmacandra, husband of Sītādevī: He bridged the ocean and slew the ten-headed Rāvaṇa along with the hosts of Laṅkā. May that Śrī Rāma—whose fame destroys the world’s defilement—ever be victorious.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, Lord Rāmacandra was more or less a contemporary incarnation for the nine Yogendras. Thus they have offered particular respect to Lord Rāmacandra, as indicated by the word jayati.
FAQs
This verse glorifies both Bhārgava Rāma (Paraśurāma), who eradicated oppressive kṣatriyas and destroyed the Haihayas, and Sītā-pati Rāma (Rāmacandra), who bridged the ocean and killed Rāvaṇa—affirming their divine victories and purifying fame.
The verse states that His kīrti (glory) is “mala-ghna,” destroying impurity; hearing and remembering His deeds cleanses the heart and uplifts the worlds through devotion.
Regularly hear, chant, and remember the Lord’s līlās—especially Rāma’s righteous courage and protection—using His purified fame as a practical means to reduce inner negativity and strengthen dharmic living.