Shloka 26
Viṣṇu as Seed-Cause: Pañcarātra Emanations, Tattva-Unfolding, and the Avatāra Chronology
ततः कलौ संप्रवृत्ते हरिस्तु संमोहनार्थं चासुराणां खगेन्द्र / नाम्ना बुद्धो कीकटेषु प्रजातो वेदप्रमाणं निराकर्तुमेव
tataḥ kalau saṃpravṛtte haristu saṃmohanārthaṃ cāsurāṇāṃ khagendra / nāmnā buddho kīkaṭeṣu prajāto vedapramāṇaṃ nirākartumeva
नंतर कलियुग प्रवृत्त झाल्यावर, हे खगेन्द्र गरुडा, असुरांना मोहविण्यास व वेदप्रमाणाचा निरास करण्यासाठी हरि ‘बुद्ध’ या नावाने कीकटदेशात प्रकट झाले।
Lord Vishnu (Hari) addressing Garuda (Khagendra/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Īśvara’s līlā employs māyā to redirect adharmic beings; Veda-pramāṇa is upheld indirectly by portraying its rejection as a divine tactic for asura-delusion.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara’s māyā and avatāra-līlā; distinction between absolute truth and pedagogical/strategic revelation for different adhikārins.
Application: Maintain discernment (viveka) about pramāṇa and context; avoid being swept by Kali-era confusion; anchor practice in sāttvika dharma and authentic śāstra-guidance.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: janapada/region
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.15.27 (Kalki at yuga-sandhi); Garuda Purana 3.15.29-30 (non-difference and infinitude of Viṣṇu)
FAQs
This verse presents Buddha as a form assumed by Hari in Kali-yuga specifically to bewilder the asuras and to turn them away from Vedic authority, functioning as a divine strategy within the cosmic order.
By stating that the avatāra’s mission was to “reject Veda-pramāṇa,” the verse highlights the Vedas as a recognized standard of valid knowledge and dharmic authority within the Purāṇic worldview.
Use discernment about sources of spiritual authority: the verse urges readers to understand how teachings can influence moral direction, and to anchor personal dharma in tested, ethical, and scripturally grounded principles.