Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 17
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
हंसस्वरूप्यवददच्युत आत्मयोगं दत्त: कुमार ऋषभो भगवान् पिता न: । विष्णु: शिवाय जगतां कलयावतीर्ण- स्तेनाहृता मधुभिदा श्रुतयोहयास्ये ॥ १७ ॥
haṁsa-svarūpy avadad acyuta ātma-yogaṁ dattaḥ kumāra ṛṣabho bhagavān pitā naḥ viṣṇuḥ śivāya jagatāṁ kalayāvatīrṇas tenāhṛtā madhu-bhidā śrutayo hayāsye
不落の至上主ヴィシュヌ（アチュタ）は、ハンサ（白鳥）の姿、ダッタートレーヤ、四クマーラ、そして我らの父なる偉大なリシャバデーヴァなどの分身として世に降り、万有のためにアートマ・ヨーガ（自己覚知）の道を説かれる。さらにハヤグリーヴァとして魔マドゥを討ち、パーターラよりヴェーダ聖典を取り戻された。
It is stated in the Skanda Purāṇa that the Lord of the universe, Hari Himself, once appeared in the form of a young brahmacārī named Kumāra and spoke transcendental knowledge to Sanat-kumāra.
FAQs
This verse states that Madhusūdana (the Lord) restored the stolen śrutis (Vedas) by appearing in His Hayagrīva (horse-faced) form, protecting revealed knowledge for the world.
He is listing the Lord’s compassionate descents that teach ātma-yoga and spiritual wisdom—different avatāras and empowered forms through whom the same Supreme Lord guides the world toward liberation.
Treat spiritual practice as learning the ‘science of the Self’: study authentic śāstra, cultivate detachment and inner discipline, and rely on the Lord’s guidance—seeing Him as the source and protector of true knowledge.