Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 22
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
भूमेर्भरावतरणाय यदुष्वजन्मा जात: करिष्यति सुरैरपि दुष्कराणि । वादैर्विमोहयति यज्ञकृतोऽतदर्हान् शूद्रान् कलौ क्षितिभुजो न्यहनिष्यदन्ते ॥ २२ ॥
bhūmer bharāvataraṇāya yaduṣv ajanmā jātaḥ kariṣyati surair api duṣkarāṇi vādair vimohayati yajña-kṛto ’tad-arhān śūdrān kalau kṣiti-bhujo nyahaniṣyad ante
大地の重荷を軽くするため、不生の主はヤドゥ族に生まれ、天神にも成し難い御業を成就される。さらに仏陀としては、論争の言葉によって、ふさわしからぬ祭祀者たちを惑わされる。そしてカリ・ユガの終末にはカルキとして現れ、支配者を装うシュードラ性の卑劣な者どもを討ち滅ぼされる。
It is understood that in this verse the description of the Lord’s appearance in the Yadu dynasty refers to the appearance of both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who together removed the demoniac rulers who were burdening the earth. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has pointed out that the description of the incarnations to deal with śūdrān, or low-class men, refers to both Buddha and Kalki. Those who misuse Vedic sacrifice to engage in gross sense gratification, such as the sinful killing of animals, are certainly in the category of śūdra, as are the so-called political leaders of Kali-yuga who perform many atrocities in the name of state management.
FAQs
It says the unborn Lord appears among the Yadus to remove the earth’s burden, perform extraordinary deeds, expose unqualified ritualists through argument, and ultimately destroy exploitative rulers in Kali-yuga.
He highlights how, especially in Kali-yuga, people may misuse Vedic forms—claiming to perform sacrifice without qualification—and how the Lord counters such deception by exposing and bewildering their pretensions.
It encourages discernment: value genuine devotion and integrity over showy religiosity, avoid being misled by sophistry, and support dharmic leadership and personal conduct that reduces harm and exploitation.