Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 5
Devotion in Kimpuruṣa-varṣa and the Glory of Bhārata-varṣa
Rāmacandra & Nara-Nārāyaṇa; Rivers, Varṇāśrama, and Liberation
मर्त्यावतारस्त्विह मर्त्यशिक्षणं रक्षोवधायैव न केवलं विभो: । कुतोऽन्यथा स्याद्रमत: स्व आत्मन: सीताकृतानि व्यसनानीश्वरस्य ॥ ५ ॥
martyāvatāras tv iha martya-śikṣaṇaṁ rakṣo-vadhāyaiva na kevalaṁ vibhoḥ kuto ’nyathā syād ramataḥ sva ātmanaḥ sītā-kṛtāni vyasanānīśvarasya
Lạy Đấng Toàn Năng! Sự giáng sinh làm người của Ngài không chỉ để diệt Rākṣasa, mà còn để dạy kẻ phàm rằng hạnh phúc đặt trọng tâm nơi nữ sắc/vợ chồng là nguồn của nhiều khổ lụy. Với Thượng Đế tự mãn trong chính Ngài, cớ sao lại có tai ương do việc Sītā bị bắt cóc?
When the Lord appears in this universe in the form of a human being, He has two purposes, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā — paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām: to destroy the demons and protect the devotees. To protect the devotees, the Lord not only satisfies them by His personal presence but also teaches them so that they will not fall down from devotional service. By His personal example, Lord Rāmacandra taught the devotees that it is better not to enter married life, which is certainly followed by many tribulations. As confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.9.45) :
FAQs
This verse says the Lord’s human-like descent is primarily to teach human beings (martyā-śikṣaṇam), not merely to destroy demons.
It highlights that the Lord is ātmārāma (self-satisfied) and untouched by material suffering; apparent “miseries” in His līlā serve higher purposes—teaching dharma and devotion.
See hardships as opportunities for dharma and inner growth, and take shelter of the Lord through bhakti—remembering that divine līlā teaches steadiness, virtue, and reliance on God.