Nābhi’s Sacrifice and Lord Viṣṇu’s Promise to Appear as a Son (Ṛṣabhadeva’s Advent Prelude)
श्रीशुक उवाच इति निशामयन्त्या मेरुदेव्या: पतिमभिधायान्तर्दधे भगवान् ॥ १९ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca iti niśāmayantyā merudevyāḥ patim abhidhāyāntardadhe bhagavān.
శ్రీశుకదేవుడు చెప్పెను—ఇలా చెప్పి భగవంతుడు మహారాజ నాభిని సంబోధించాడు; పక్కనే కూర్చున్న రాణి మేరుదేవి అన్నీ వినగలిగింది. అనంతరం భగవంతుడు అంతర్ధానమయ్యాడు.
According to the Vedic injunctions, one should perform sacrifices in the company of one’s own wife. Sapatnīko dharmam ācaret: religious rituals should be performed with one’s wife; therefore Mahārāja Nābhi conducted his great sacrifice with his wife by his side.
This verse indicates the Lord’s divine withdrawal after delivering His message—showing His transcendence and teaching detachment from bodily association.
It means “the Supreme Lord disappeared (from view),” emphasizing that His presence and departure are under His divine will, not ordinary limitation.
By practicing steadiness in devotion and duty even when comforting support seems to ‘disappear,’ remembering that spiritual instruction is the lasting shelter.