Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 17
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
हंसस्वरूप्यवददच्युत आत्मयोगं दत्त: कुमार ऋषभो भगवान् पिता न: । विष्णु: शिवाय जगतां कलयावतीर्ण- स्तेनाहृता मधुभिदा श्रुतयोहयास्ये ॥ १७ ॥
haṁsa-svarūpy avadad acyuta ātma-yogaṁ dattaḥ kumāra ṛṣabho bhagavān pitā naḥ viṣṇuḥ śivāya jagatāṁ kalayāvatīrṇas tenāhṛtā madhu-bhidā śrutayo hayāsye
不失之主阿周陀——毗湿奴，为了众生安乐，以诸分身降世，如天鹅化身哈ṁ萨、达塔特雷亚、四位库玛罗，以及我们的父亲圣者利沙婆提婆，宣说自证之道（阿特玛瑜伽）。又以马首海耶格里瓦之相诛灭魔王摩度，从帕塔拉幽界取回吠陀圣典。
It is stated in the Skanda Purāṇa that the Lord of the universe, Hari Himself, once appeared in the form of a young brahmacārī named Kumāra and spoke transcendental knowledge to Sanat-kumāra.
FAQs
This verse states that Madhusūdana (the Lord) restored the stolen śrutis (Vedas) by appearing in His Hayagrīva (horse-faced) form, protecting revealed knowledge for the world.
He is listing the Lord’s compassionate descents that teach ātma-yoga and spiritual wisdom—different avatāras and empowered forms through whom the same Supreme Lord guides the world toward liberation.
Treat spiritual practice as learning the ‘science of the Self’: study authentic śāstra, cultivate detachment and inner discipline, and rely on the Lord’s guidance—seeing Him as the source and protector of true knowledge.