Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 6
The Priyavrata Dynasty Continues: Sumati’s Line and the Glorification of Mahārāja Gaya
भूम्न ऋषिकुल्यायामुद्गीथस्तत: प्रस्तावो देवकुल्यायां प्रस्तावान्नियुत्सायां हृदयज आसीद्विभुर्विभो रत्यां च पृथुषेणस्तस्मान्नक्त आकूत्यां जज्ञे नक्ताद्द्रुतिपुत्रो गयो राजर्षिप्रवर उदारश्रवा अजायत साक्षाद्भगवतो विष्णोर्जगद्रिरक्षिषया गृहीतसत्त्वस्य कलाऽऽत्मवत्त्वादिलक्षणेन महापुरुषतां प्राप्त: ॥ ६ ॥
bhūmna ṛṣikulyāyām udgīthas tataḥ prastāvo devakulyāyāṁ prastāvān niyutsāyāṁ hṛdayaja āsīd vibhur vibho ratyāṁ ca pṛthuṣeṇas tasmān nakta ākūtyāṁ jajñe naktād druti-putro gayo rājarṣi-pravara udāra-śravā ajāyata sākṣād bhagavato viṣṇor jagad-rirakṣiṣayā gṛhīta-sattvasya kalātmavattvādi-lakṣaṇena mahā-puruṣatāṁ prāptaḥ.
Sa sinapupunan ni Ṛṣikulyā, asawa ni Bhūmā, isinilang si Udgītha. Mula sa asawa ni Udgītha na si Devakulyā ay isinilang si Prastāva; si Prastāva ay nagkaanak kay Niyutsā ng si Vibhu; si Vibhu ay nagkaanak kay Ratī ng si Pṛthuṣeṇa; si Pṛthuṣeṇa ay nagkaanak kay Ākūti ng si Nakta; at mula kay Druti, asawa ni Nakta, isinilang ang dakilang haring si Gaya. Si Gaya ay bantog at banal, at pinakamainam sa mga santong hari. Yamang siya’y tuwirang pagpapalawak ni Bhagavān Viṣṇu—Tagapangalaga ng sansinukob—na laging nasa viśuddha-sattva, si Mahārāja Gaya rin ay nanatili sa viśuddha-sattva; kaya siya’y puspos ng transendental na kaalaman at tinawag na Mahāpuruṣa.
From this verse it appears that the incarnations of God are various. Some are part and parcel of the direct expansions, and some are direct expansions of Lord Viṣṇu. A direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called aṁśa or svāṁśa, whereas an incarnation from aṁśa is called kalā. Among the kalās there are the vibhinnāṁśa-jīvas, or living entities. These are counted among the jīva-tattvas. Those who come directly from Lord Viṣṇu are called viṣṇu-tattva and are sometimes designated as Mahāpuruṣa. Another name for Kṛṣṇa is Mahāpuruṣa, and a devotee is sometimes called mahā-pauruṣika.
FAQs
This verse identifies Gaya as the son in Priyavrata’s royal line (via Nakta) and describes him as a foremost rājarṣi, famed for generosity and righteousness.
The verse says Viṣṇu accepted (empowered) Gaya for jagat-rakṣaṇa—protecting the world—so his greatness is not merely political but divinely supported, marked by mahāpuruṣa qualities.
It highlights leadership as service—protecting others, living with self-mastery, and using one’s influence for dharma rather than ego.