Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 9
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
इत्थं ब्रुवत्यभयदे नरदेव देवा: सव्रीडनम्रशिरस: सघृणं तमूचु: । नैतद् विभो त्वयि परेऽविकृते विचित्रं स्वारामधीरनिकरानतपादपद्मे ॥ ९ ॥
itthaṁ bruvaty abhaya-de nara-deva devāḥ sa-vrīḍa-namra-śirasaḥ sa-ghṛṇaṁ tam ūcuḥ naitad vibho tvayi pare ’vikṛte vicitraṁ svārāma-dhīra-nikarānata-pāda-padme
O King Nimi, when Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi spoke thus, removing the demigods’ fear, they bowed their heads in shame and, seeking His mercy, said: “O Lord, You are supreme and unchanging, beyond illusion. Your causeless compassion, even after our offense, is not surprising, for countless serene sages bow at Your lotus feet.”
The demigods said, “Our dear Lord, although ordinary living entities such as the demigods and ordinary men are always disturbed by material pride and anger, You are always transcendental. Therefore it is not surprising that we fallible demigods could not appreciate Your glories.”
FAQs
It states that nothing is astonishing in the Supreme Lord because He is the transcendental, unchanging Reality, beyond material transformation.
They respond with humility and compassion, acknowledging the greatness of the Supreme Lord and gently instructing the king that the Lord’s supremacy is natural and unsurprising.
Practice humility and steadiness through daily remembrance—chanting, prayer, and offering your actions to God—seeing devotion as the grounding center of life rather than ego-driven achievement.