228 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 24

Sri-Suka uvaca
go-vipra-sura-sadhinam
chandasdm api cesvarah
raksam icchams tanir dhatte
dharmasyarthasya caiva hi

Sri-Sukah uvaca—Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; go—of the cows;
vipra—of the brahmanas; sura—of the demigods; sédhiinam—and of
the devotees; chandasém api—even of the Vedic literature; ca—and;
isvarah—the supreme controller; raksém—the protection; icchan—
desiring; tanwih dhatte—accepts the forms of incarnations; dharmasya-
—of the principles of religion; arthasya—of the principles of the pur-
pose of life; ca—and; eva—indeed; hi—certainly.

TRANSLATION

Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: O King, for the sake of protecting
the cows, brahmanas, demigods, devotees, the Vedic literature,
religious principles, and principles to fulfill the purpose of life,
the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts the forms of
incarnations.

PURPORT

The Supreme Personality of Godhead generally appears in various
types of incarnations to give protection to the cows and brahmanas. The
Lord is described as go-brahmana-hitaya ca; in other words, He is al-
ways eager to benefit the cows and brdhmanas. When Lord Krsna ap-
peared, He purposefully became a cowherd boy and showed personally
how to give protection to the cows and calves. Similarly, He showed
respect to Suddma Vipra, a real brahmana. From the Lord’s personal ac-
tivities, human society should learn how to give protection specifically to
the brahmanas and cows. Then the protection of religious principles,
fulfillment of the aim of life and protection of Vedic knowledge can be
achieved. Without protection of cows, brahminical culture cannot be
maintained; and without brahminical culture, the aim of life cannot be
fulfilled. The Lord, therefore, is described as go-bréhmana-hitaya be-

cause His incarnation is only for the protection of the cows and
