Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 3
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
यत्र यज्ञपति: साक्षाद्भगवान् हरिरीश्वर: । अन्वभूयत सर्वात्मा सर्वलोकगुरु: प्रभु: ॥ ३ ॥
yatra yajña-patiḥ sākṣād bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ anvabhūyata sarvātmā sarva-loka-guruḥ prabhuḥ
यत्र यज्ञपतिḥ साक्षाद् भगवान् हरिर् ईश्वरः, सर्वात्मा सर्वलोकगुरुः प्रभुः, पृथोः यज्ञेषु साक्षात् अन्वभूयत।
In this verse the word sākṣāt is significant. Pṛthu Mahārāja was a śaktyāveśa-avatāra incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu. Actually Pṛthu Mahārāja was a living entity, but he acquired specific powers from Lord Viṣṇu. Lord Viṣṇu, however, is directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and thus belongs to the category of viṣṇu-tattva. Mahārāja Pṛthu belonged to the jīva-tattva. The viṣṇu-tattva indicates God, whereas the jīva-tattva indicates the part and parcel of God. When God’s part and parcel is especially empowered, he is called śaktyāveśa-avatāra. Lord Viṣṇu is herein described as harir īśvaraḥ. The Lord is so kind that He takes all miserable conditions away from His devotees. Consequently He is called Hari. He is described as īśvara because He can do whatever He likes. He is the supreme controller. The supreme īśvara puruṣottama is Lord Kṛṣṇa. He exhibits His powers as īśvara, or the supreme controller, when He assures His devotee in Bhagavad-gītā (18.66) : “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” He can immediately make His devotee immune from all the reactions caused by sinful life if the devotee simply surrenders unto Him. He is described herein as sarvātmā, meaning that He is present in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul, and as such He is the supreme teacher of everyone. If we are fortunate enough to take the lessons given by Lord Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gītā, our lives immediately become successful. No one can give better instructions to human society than Lord Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse states that Hari, the Supreme Controller, is directly the Lord of all yajñas, and He can become personally manifest where devotion and sacrifice are properly offered.
Because the Lord is not only the enjoyer of sacrifice but also the supreme guide of all beings; His appearance at the yajña reveals Him as the ultimate teacher and protector for every world.
Offer one’s work and worship as an act of devotion to Hari, remembering that sincere, God-centered sacrifice invites divine presence and guidance in daily life.