136 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 3

kama—to show how to execute the functions of a human being. The
word dharma is meant for human beings and is never used in connection
with beings inferior to human beings, such as animals. Unfortunately,
without being guided by the Supreme Lord, human beings sometimes
manufacture a process of dharma by concoction. Actually dharma cannot
be made by man. Dharmarh tu sakséd bhagavat-pranitam. (Bhag.
6.3.19) Dharma is given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, just as
the law is given by the state government. Man-made dharma has no
meaning. Srimad-Bhagavatam refers to man-made dharma as kaitava-
dharma, cheating religion. The Supreme Lord sends an avatara (incar-
nation) to teach human society the proper way to execute religious prin-
ciples. Such religious principles are bhakti-marga. As the Supreme Lord
Himself says in Bhagavad-gitd: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam
Saranam vraja. The son of Maharaja Nabhi, Rsabhadeva, appeared on

this earth to preach the principles of religion. That will be explained in
the Fifth Chapter of this Fifth Canto.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fifth Canto, Third
Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled “‘Rsabhadeva’s Ap-
pearance in the Womb of Merudevi, the wife of King Nabhi.”’
