Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 3
Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti
Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties
पुरा किल महाबाहो धर्मं परमकं प्रभो । यत्तेन हंसरूपेण ब्रह्मणेऽभ्यात्थ माधव ॥ ३ ॥ स इदानीं सुमहता कालेनामित्रकर्शन । न प्रायो भविता मर्त्यलोके प्रागनुशासित: ॥ ४ ॥
purā kila mahā-bāho dharmaṁ paramakaṁ prabho yat tena haṁsa-rūpeṇa brahmaṇe ’bhyāttha mādhava
Uddhava disse: Ó Senhor de braços poderosos, outrora, na Tua forma de Haṁsa, falaste a Brahmā daquele dharma supremo que concede a mais alta felicidade ao praticante. Ó Mādhava, agora passou-se muito tempo, e o que ensinaste antes quase deixará de existir no mundo dos mortais, ó subjugador do inimigo.
FAQs
This verse recalls that Lord Mādhava taught Brahmā the supreme dharma while appearing in the form of a swan (Haṁsa), indicating a divine teaching incarnation focused on spiritual instruction.
Uddhava points to an ancient, authoritative source—Krishna’s own instruction to Brahmā—to request the same “supreme dharma” be explained again for the benefit of people now.
Seek dharma from authentic spiritual sources and prioritize transcendental duty—devotional and God-centered living—over merely social or temporary religious customs.