Shloka 3
Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa
चरितं तस्य राजर्षेरादिराजस्य सत्तम । ब्रूहि मे श्रद्दधानाय विष्वक्सेनाश्रयो ह्यसौ ॥ ३ ॥
caritaṁ tasya rājarṣer ādi-rājasya sattama brūhi me śraddadhānāya viṣvaksenāśrayo hy asau
Ô le plus vertueux, décris-moi, à moi qui t’écoute avec foi, le caractère et les actes sublimes de ce rājarṣi, roi originel des rois (Manu), réfugié en Viṣvaksena ; je brûle d’en entendre le récit.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is full of the transcendental topics of the Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees. In the absolute world there is no difference in quality between the Supreme Lord and His pure devotee. Therefore, hearing the topics of the Lord and hearing of the character and activities of the pure devotee have the same result, namely the development of devotional service.
FAQs
This verse highlights that the ideal ruler (the Ādirāja) is praised because he took shelter of Viṣvaksena—the Supreme Lord—showing bhakti as the foundation of greatness.
In the flow of Canto 3, Maitreya is guiding the discussion toward the early creation-era dynasties and exemplary kings; the Ādirāja’s devotion makes his life especially worth hearing.
Approach sacred study with sincerity—regularly hear and reflect on Bhāgavatam teachings, and orient decisions around taking shelter of God rather than ego or anxiety.