Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 59
Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons
Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions
ताविमौ वै भगवतो हरेरंशाविहागतौ । भारव्ययाय च भुव: कृष्णौ यदुकुरूद्वहौ ॥ ५९ ॥
tāv imau vai bhagavato harer aṁśāv ihāgatau bhāra-vyayāya ca bhuvaḥ kṛṣṇau yadu-kurūdvahau
此二位乃至上主哈利之分身，为减轻大地之重，现于夜度族为圣奎师那，于俱卢族为阿周那。
Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Nara is a part of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa. Thus the energy and the energetic together are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Maitreya informed Vidura that Nara, the portion of Nārāyaṇa, had appeared in the family of the Kurus and that Nārāyaṇa, the plenary expansion of Kṛṣṇa, had come as Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, with the purpose of delivering suffering humanity from the pangs of material burdens. In other words, Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi was now present in the world in the forms of Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna.
FAQs
This verse states that two divine portions of Hari descended specifically for bhāra-vyaya—reducing the earth’s burden—indicating the avatāra’s mission to restore balance and dharma.
The phrase kṛṣṇau indicates two exalted figures: Sri Krishna of the Yadu line and Krishna Dvaipāyana Vyasa associated with the Kuru line—both understood as empowered portions of Hari serving the Lord’s purpose.
The verse encourages seeing divine purpose in restoring dharma: reduce “burden” in one’s life by supporting truth, compassion, and devotion, and by aligning actions with spiritual responsibility rather than ego.