Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 11 Chapter 4:17-23

Book 11: Chapter4

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 4: Verses 17-23

Appearing for the good of the worlds in (varying) digits as the divine Swan, Lord Dattatreya, the sages Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumara, and our father, Lord Ftsabha, the immortal Lord Visnu Himself taught the knowledge of the Self. In the form of Hayagriva He killed (the demon) Madhu and recovered the Vedas (from him). In His descent in the form of the divine Fish the Lord rescued at the time of universal dissolution the Manu (named Satyavrata) and protected the earth as well as (the seeds of) the (different) foodgrains. Lifting the earth from (the bottom of) the ocean in His descent as the divine Boar, He killed the demon (Hiranyaksa)• in the form of the divine Tortoise, He supported the mountain (called Mandara) on His back when the ocean was being churned for nectar, and rescued the distressed king of elephants from (the jaws of the) alligator when the former sought Him (for protection). The Lord rescued the 8515 (known as the Valakhilyas) who (being of the size of a thumb and) having grown weak through austerities had fallen into a pit (as though into the sea) and had been duly praising Him (Similarly) He saved indra, who had incurred the sin of Brahmanicide by having killed Vrtra (a Brahmar'a by birth), and further rescued helpless celestial women who stood imprisoned in the houses °f Asuras. And during His descent as the Man-Lion (Lord Narasiriiha) He killed,Hiranyakatipu (the ruler of the Asuras) in order to rid His devotees (like Prahlada) of fear. And in the war between the gods and demons He killed the demon chiefs for the sake of the gods, and in different Manvantaras through (different) part manifestations protected the worlds. Assuming the form of the divine Dwarf (Vamana) He obtained on the pretext of asking for alms the earth from Bali and gave it to the gods (the sons of Aditi). Descending as Parasurama, the fire born of the Bhargava race for the destruction of the Haihayas, He swept the Ksatriyas off the surface of the earth thrice seven times. And (in His descent) as Sri Rama (the Spouse of Sita) He bridged the ocean and killed the ten-headed demon (Ravana) and destroyed (his capital) Lanka. He is (always) victorious everywhere and His fame destroys the sins of the people. Though birthless, the Lord will appear in the race of Yadu in order to remove the burden of the earth, and perform deeds which cannot easily be accomplished even by the gods. (Then appearing as Lord Buddha) He will bewilder (and confuse) by His arguments those who perform sacrificial rites though unqualified for them. And (appearing as Kalki) at the end of the Kali age, He will destroy the Sudra kings. O king of mighty arms l many such descents and deeds of the Lord of the universe, of immense glory have been recounted (by the wise).

Thus ends the fourth discourse in Book Eleven of the great and glorious

Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.

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