Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 5
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
आदावभूच्छतधृती रजसास्य सर्गे विष्णु: स्थितौ क्रतुपतिर्द्विजधर्मसेतु: । रुद्रोऽप्ययाय तमसा पुरुष: स आद्य इत्युद्भवस्थितिलया: सततं प्रजासु ॥ ५ ॥
ādāv abhūc chata-dhṛtī rajasāsya sarge viṣṇuḥ sthitau kratu-patir dvija-dharma-setuḥ rudro ’pyayāya tamasā puruṣaḥ sa ādya ity udbhava-sthiti-layāḥ satataṁ prajāsu
起初，为了创造宇宙，那原初的至上人格以激情之德（罗阇）显现为梵天（百持者）。为维持宇宙，主又显现为毗湿奴——祭祀之主、守护二次生者与其法度之桥梁。待到毁灭之时，同一至上主依无明之德（昏暗）显现为鲁陀罗。故一切受造众生恒常受制于生、住、灭之力。
In the previous verse the Supreme Personality of Godhead was described as ādi-kartā, the original person responsible for the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the material world. According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, ādi-kartā, or “the original doer,” implies subsequent creators, maintainers and annihilators. Otherwise there would be no meaning to the word ādi, or “original.” Therefore this verse describes that the Absolute Truth expands Himself into the guṇāvatāras, or incarnations who carry out the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the universe through the modes of passion, goodness and ignorance respectively.
FAQs
This verse explains that the one original Supreme Person manifests functional roles: Brahmā for creation through rajas, Viṣṇu for maintenance, and Rudra for dissolution through tamas—showing unity of divine governance behind cosmic functions.
He highlights Viṣṇu as the Lord of sacrifice (yajña), because dharma and cosmic order are sustained through sacred duty; as 'dvija-dharma-setu' He is the protecting bridge that preserves Vedic conduct and spiritual culture.
It encourages seeing life’s changes—beginnings, stability, and endings—as governed by divine order, helping one cultivate steadiness, perform one’s duties as worship, and remain devoted through inevitable transformations.