Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 5
Devotion in Kimpuruṣa-varṣa and the Glory of Bhārata-varṣa
Rāmacandra & Nara-Nārāyaṇa; Rivers, Varṇāśrama, and Liberation
मर्त्यावतारस्त्विह मर्त्यशिक्षणं रक्षोवधायैव न केवलं विभो: । कुतोऽन्यथा स्याद्रमत: स्व आत्मन: सीताकृतानि व्यसनानीश्वरस्य ॥ ५ ॥
martyāvatāras tv iha martya-śikṣaṇaṁ rakṣo-vadhāyaiva na kevalaṁ vibhoḥ kuto ’nyathā syād ramataḥ sva ātmanaḥ sītā-kṛtāni vyasanānīśvarasya
ഹേ വിഭോ! നിങ്ങളുടെ മനുഷ്യാവതാരം വെറും രാക്ഷസവധത്തിനല്ല; മർത്ത്യരെ ഉപദേശിക്കാനും—സ്ത്രീ/ഭാര്യകേന്ദ്രിത ഭോഗം അനേകം ദുഃഖങ്ങൾക്ക് കാരണമെന്നു. സ്വാത്മാനന്ദത്തിൽ രമിക്കുന്ന ഈശ്വരന് സീതാഹരണത്താൽ ദുരിതം സംഭവിക്കുക മറ്റെന്തിനാൽ?
When the Lord appears in this universe in the form of a human being, He has two purposes, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā — paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām: to destroy the demons and protect the devotees. To protect the devotees, the Lord not only satisfies them by His personal presence but also teaches them so that they will not fall down from devotional service. By His personal example, Lord Rāmacandra taught the devotees that it is better not to enter married life, which is certainly followed by many tribulations. As confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.9.45) :
FAQs
This verse says the Lord’s human-like descent is primarily to teach human beings (martyā-śikṣaṇam), not merely to destroy demons.
It highlights that the Lord is ātmārāma (self-satisfied) and untouched by material suffering; apparent “miseries” in His līlā serve higher purposes—teaching dharma and devotion.
See hardships as opportunities for dharma and inner growth, and take shelter of the Lord through bhakti—remembering that divine līlā teaches steadiness, virtue, and reliance on God.