Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 42
Daśa-lakṣaṇam: The Ten Topics, Virāṭ-Puruṣa Sense-Manifestation, and the Supreme Shelter (Āśraya)
स एवेदं जगद्धाता भगवान् धर्मरूपधृक् । पुष्णाति स्थापयन् विश्वं तिर्यङ्नरसुरादिभि: ॥ ४२ ॥
sa evedaṁ jagad-dhātā bhagavān dharma-rūpa-dhṛk puṣṇāti sthāpayan viśvaṁ tiryaṅ-nara-surādibhiḥ
तोच भगवान् जगताचा धाता असून धर्मरूप धारण करणारा आहे. सृष्टी स्थापन करून तो तिर्यक्, मनुष्य व देव इत्यादी रूपांनी विश्वाचे पालन करतो आणि अवतार घेऊन बद्ध जीवांचा उद्धार करतो.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead Viṣṇu incarnates Himself in different societies of living entities to reclaim them from the clutches of illusion, and such activities of the Lord are not limited only to human society. He incarnates Himself even as a fish, hog, tree and many other forms, but less intelligent persons who have no knowledge of Him deride Him even if He is in human society as a human being. The Lord therefore says in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.11) :
FAQs
This verse states that Bhagavān alone is the jagaddhātā—the sustainer of the universe—who establishes and nourishes the world through all classes of living beings.
In this context Śukadeva explains that the Lord upholds cosmic order; dharma is not merely a rulebook but is rooted in the Lord Himself, who embodies and supports it while arranging the universe.
See dharma as alignment with the Lord’s order—live responsibly within your role, respect all forms of life, and cultivate devotion, trusting that the same Supreme Sustainer supports the whole world.