Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 6
The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise
एष साक्षाद्धरेरंशो जातो लोकरिरक्षया । इयं च तत्परा हि श्रीरनुजज्ञेऽनपायिनी ॥ ६ ॥
eṣa sākṣād dharer aṁśo jāto loka-rirakṣayā iyaṁ ca tat-parā hi śrīr anujajñe ’napāyinī
Sa anyo ni Haring Pṛthu, siya ay tuwirang bahagi ni Hari na isinilang upang ingatan ang mga tao ng daigdig. At si Śrī Lakṣmī, ang walang hanggang kasama ng Panginoon na di kailanman humihiwalay, ay bumaba nang bahagya bilang Arci upang maging reyna ni Pṛthu.
In Bhagavad-gītā the Lord says that whenever one sees an extraordinary power, he should conclude that a specific partial representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is present. There are innumerable such personalities, but not all of them are direct viṣṇu-tattva plenary expansions of the Lord. Many living entities are classified among the śakti-tattvas. Such incarnations, empowered for specific purposes, are known as śaktyāveśa-avatāras. King Pṛthu was such a śaktyāveśa-avatāra of the Lord. Similarly, Arci, King Pṛthu’s wife, was a śaktyāveśa-avatāra of the goddess of fortune.
FAQs
This verse declares that Pṛthu is directly a portion (aṁśa) of Lord Hari, born specifically to protect the worlds.
Because Lakṣmī is described as anapāyinī—inseparable from the Lord—indicating divine prosperity and auspiciousness accompanying His mission.
It highlights leadership as service—true authority exists to protect, uplift, and sustain others through dharma rather than personal gain.