Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 14

Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

रक्षाच्युतावतारेहा विश्वस्यानु युगे युगे । तिर्यङ्‌मर्त्यर्षिदेवेषु हन्यन्ते यैस्त्रयीद्विष: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

rakṣācyutāvatārehā viśvasyānu yuge yuge tiryaṅ-martyarṣi-deveṣu hanyante yais trayī-dviṣaḥ

Translation

À chaque âge, le Seigneur infaillible Acyuta descend en ce monde parmi les animaux, les hommes, les sages et les devas. Par Ses lilas, Il protège l’univers et détruit les ennemis de la culture védique.

Synonyms

• रक्षा-अच्युत-अवतार-ईहा: the protective activity of Acyuta’s incarnations
• रक्षा-अच्युत-अवतार-ईहा: Karta/उद्देश्य (प्रथमा-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक) + अच्युत (प्रातिपदिक) + अवतार (प्रातिपदिक) + ईहा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (रक्षार्थम् अच्युतस्य अवतारस्य ईहा = the endeavor/activity of Acyuta’s descent for protection)

• विश्वस्य: of the universe
• विश्वस्य: सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अनु: according to/throughout
• अनु: सम्बन्धसूचक
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुगमन/अनुक्रम (preverb/adverb: in accordance, after; here distributive with yuge yuge)

• युगे: in an age
• युगे: अधिकरण (location in time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• युगे: in every age
• युगे: अधिकरण (time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति (distributive: each age)

• तिर्यक्-मर्त्य-ऋषि-देवेषु: among animals, humans, sages, and gods
• तिर्यक्-मर्त्य-ऋषि-देवेषु: अधिकरण (locus/among whom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिर्यक् (प्रातिपदिक) + मर्त्य (प्रातिपदिक) + ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (among animals, humans, sages, and gods)

• हन्यन्ते: are slain
• हन्यन्ते: क्रिया (verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

• यैः: by whom
• यैः: करण (agent/instrument in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• त्रयी-द्विषः: haters of the Vedas
• त्रयी-द्विषः: Karta (of passive patient-group; logical object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रयी (प्रातिपदिक) + द्विष् (धातु) → द्विष्/द्विष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (त्रयीं द्विषन्ति = haters of the Vedic triad)

Purport

The protective activities of the Lord, indicated by the word rakṣā, constitute one of the ten fundamental topics of a Mahā-purāṇa, or a great Purāṇic literature.

Characters & Entities

• Acyuta (Śrī Viṣṇu / Bhagavān)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about why the Lord takes avataras in every yuga?

This verse says the infallible Lord descends again and again to protect the universe and to eliminate those who oppose the Vedic path and dharma.

Who is being referred to as the enemies of the Vedas (trayī-dviṣaḥ)?

Those who hate or undermine the Vedic order—Vedic knowledge, sacrifice, and dharma—are called trayī-dviṣaḥ, regardless of whether they appear as humans, sages, demigods, or other beings.

Practical application: how can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Align your life with dharma and śāstra—study sacred texts, avoid philosophies that erode devotion and integrity, and take shelter of the Lord through bhakti, trusting that divine protection supports sincere practice.