Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 50
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Varṇāśrama’s Purpose, Ritualism’s Fall, and Yuga-Avatāras with Kali-yuga Saṅkīrtana
भूभारासुरराजन्यहन्तवे गुप्तये सताम् । अवतीर्णस्य निर्वृत्यै यशो लोके वितन्यते ॥ ५० ॥
bhū-bhārāsura-rājanya- hantave guptaye satām avatīrṇasya nirvṛtyai yaśo loke vitanyate
ପୃଥିବୀର ଭାର ହୋଇଥିବା ଅସୁରସ୍ୱଭାବ ରାଜାମାନଙ୍କୁ ନିହତ କରିବାକୁ ଏବଂ ସାଧୁ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବାକୁ ଭଗବାନ ଅବତୀର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହେଲେ। ତାଙ୍କ କୃପାରେ ଦୁଷ୍ଟ ଓ ଭକ୍ତ—ଦୁହେଁ ମୋକ୍ଷ ପାଆନ୍ତି; ତେଣୁ ତାଙ୍କ ଦିବ୍ୟ ଯଶ ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକରେ ପ୍ରସାରିତ।
A doubt may arise as to how the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends to this material world. And since He is the omnipotent creator of millions of universes, why do the devotees glorify as wonderful the Lord’s activities such as His killing a witch named Pūtanā by sucking out her life through her breast? Although such activities are certainly beyond the scope of ordinary human beings, why should they be considered wonderful when executed by the omnipotent Personality of Godhead? The answer is given in this verse by the word nirvṛtyai . The Lord killed the demons not because He was envious of them, but in order to give them spiritual liberation. Thus the causeless mercy of the Personality of Godhead in liberating both the devotees and the demons by His inconceivable pastimes clearly distinguishes the Lord from any other living entity, either man or demigod. It is stated, mukti-pradātā sarveṣāṁ viṣṇur eva na saṁśayaḥ: only Viṣṇu can give liberation beyond birth and death. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has pointed out that generally the demons are awarded impersonal liberation in the Brahman effulgence, whereas the devotees are given the superior benediction of love of Godhead in the spiritual planets. Thus, the Lord exhibits His causeless mercy toward all classes of living entities, and His fame is spread throughout the universe. Because Kṛṣṇa is transcendental, His fame is not different from His personal incarnation, so as the Lord’s fame expands, the entire universe is gradually liberated. These are some of the unique characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
It says the Lord descends to remove the earth’s burden by destroying demonic rulers and to protect the saintly devotees, and that His glorious fame then spreads throughout the world.
In his instruction to Vasudeva, Nārada explains the Lord’s avatāra purpose—restoring dharma by protecting devotees and removing oppressive, demonic leadership—thus clarifying the divine intent behind the Lord’s descents.
Support dharma by protecting and uplifting saintly values, resisting harmful influences, and remembering that God’s presence and teachings spread hope and spiritual strength in society.