Notes] The Advent of Lord Krsna: Introduction 113
were known as the sad-garbhas, or six garbhas, and they were all equally
powerful and expert in military affairs. These sad-garbhas gave up the
association of Hiranyakasipu, their grandfather, and underwent great
austerities to satisfy Lord Brahma, who, upon being satisfied, agreed to
give them whatever benediction they might desire. When asked by Lord
Brahma to state what they wanted, the sad-garbhas replied, “‘Dear Lord
Brahma, if you want to give us a benediction, give us the blessing that we
will not be killed by any demigod, maha-roga, Yaksa, Gandharva-pati,
Siddha, Carana or human being, nor by great sages who are perfect in
their penances and austerities.”” Brahma understood their purpose and
fulfilled their desire. But when Hiranyakasipu came to know of these
events, he was very angry at his grandsons. “You have given up my
association and have gone to worship Lord Brahma,” he said, ‘“‘and
therefore I no longer have any affection for you. You have tried to save
yourselves from the hands of the demigods, but I curse you in this way:
Your father will take birth as Karnsa and kill all of you because you will
take birth as sons of Devaki.” Because of this curse, the grandsons of
Hiranyakasipu had to take birth from the womb of Devaki and be killed
by Karhsa, although he was previously their father. This description is
mentioned in the Hari-varnsa, Visnu-parva, Second Chapter. According
to the comments of the Vaisnava-tosani, the son of Devaki known as
Kirtiman was the third incarnation. In his first incarnation he was known
as Smara and was the son of Marici, and later he became the son of
Kalanemi. This is mentioned in the histories.

An additional verse in this chapter of Srimad-Bhagavatam is accepted
by the Madhvacarya-sampradaya, represented by Vijayadhvaja Tirtha.
The verse is as follows:

atha karnsam updgamya
narado brahma-nandanah
ekantam upasangamya
vakyam etad uvaca ha
atha—in this way; karisam—unto Kamsa; upaégamya—after going;
naradah—the great sage Narada; brahma-nandanah—who is the son of
Brahma; ekantam upasangamya—after going to a very solitary place;
