Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 9
The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise
ब्रह्मा जगद्गुरुर्देवै: सहासृत्य सुरेश्वरै: । वैन्यस्य दक्षिणे हस्ते दृष्ट्वा चिह्नं गदाभृत: ॥ ९ ॥ पादयोररविन्दं च तं वै मेने हरे: कलाम् । यस्याप्रतिहतं चक्रमंश: स परमेष्ठिन: ॥ १० ॥
brahmā jagad-gurur devaiḥ sahāsṛtya sureśvaraiḥ vainyasya dakṣiṇe haste dṛṣṭvā cihnaṁ gadābhṛtaḥ
宇宙之师梵天与诸天及其主宰一同来到那里。见到维尼之子普利图王右掌具持杵毗湿奴的圣纹，足底又有莲华印记，梵天便知他是圣主哈利（毗湿奴）的分身之分（aṁśa-kalā）。凡掌中具轮（cakra）等瑞相者，当视为至上主的部分显现或化身。
There is a system by which one can detect an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nowadays it has become a cheap fashion to accept any rascal as an incarnation of God, but from this incident we can see that Lord Brahmā personally examined the hands and feet of King Pṛthu for specific signs. In their prophecies the learned sages and brāhmaṇas accepted Pṛthu Mahārāja as a plenary partial expansion of the Lord. During the presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa, however, a king declared himself Vāsudeva, and Lord Kṛṣṇa killed him. Before accepting someone as an incarnation of God, one should verify his identity according to the symptoms mentioned in the śāstras. Without these symptoms the pretender is subject to be killed by the authorities for pretending to be an incarnation of God.
FAQs
This verse says Brahmā recognized Vainya (Pṛthu) by seeing a specific emblem on his right hand—an identifying sign connected with Lord Viṣṇu, indicating divine empowerment and protection.
In the narrative of Pṛthu’s appearance, the cosmic administrators gathered because a divinely empowered ruler was needed to restore dharma; Brahmā confirms Pṛthu’s divine authorization through the mark.
Rather than being impressed by titles, look for consistent signs of character—service, protection of others, integrity, and devotion—just as Brahmā looked for authentic indicators of divine purpose.