Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 9
The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise
ब्रह्मा जगद्गुरुर्देवै: सहासृत्य सुरेश्वरै: । वैन्यस्य दक्षिणे हस्ते दृष्ट्वा चिह्नं गदाभृत: ॥ ९ ॥ पादयोररविन्दं च तं वै मेने हरे: कलाम् । यस्याप्रतिहतं चक्रमंश: स परमेष्ठिन: ॥ १० ॥
brahmā jagad-gurur devaiḥ sahāsṛtya sureśvaraiḥ vainyasya dakṣiṇe haste dṛṣṭvā cihnaṁ gadābhṛtaḥ
宇宙の師ブラフマーは、すべてのデーヴァとその主たちを伴ってそこに来臨した。ヴェーナの子プリトゥ王の右の掌に、棍棒を持つヴィシュヌの瑞相の線があり、足裏に蓮華の印があるのを見て、ブラフマーは彼がシュリー・ハリの分身（アṁシャ・カラー）であると悟った。掌に円盤（チャクラ）の印などが備わる者は、至上主の部分的顕現、すなわち化身と見なされるべきである。
There is a system by which one can detect an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nowadays it has become a cheap fashion to accept any rascal as an incarnation of God, but from this incident we can see that Lord Brahmā personally examined the hands and feet of King Pṛthu for specific signs. In their prophecies the learned sages and brāhmaṇas accepted Pṛthu Mahārāja as a plenary partial expansion of the Lord. During the presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa, however, a king declared himself Vāsudeva, and Lord Kṛṣṇa killed him. Before accepting someone as an incarnation of God, one should verify his identity according to the symptoms mentioned in the śāstras. Without these symptoms the pretender is subject to be killed by the authorities for pretending to be an incarnation of God.
FAQs
This verse says Brahmā recognized Vainya (Pṛthu) by seeing a specific emblem on his right hand—an identifying sign connected with Lord Viṣṇu, indicating divine empowerment and protection.
In the narrative of Pṛthu’s appearance, the cosmic administrators gathered because a divinely empowered ruler was needed to restore dharma; Brahmā confirms Pṛthu’s divine authorization through the mark.
Rather than being impressed by titles, look for consistent signs of character—service, protection of others, integrity, and devotion—just as Brahmā looked for authentic indicators of divine purpose.