Text 47] The Demigods Appeal to the Lord 195

PURPORT
The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (4.7):

yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya

tadatmanam srjamy aham

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O de-
scendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I
descend Myself.” Thus it is not imagination but a fact that the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, by His sweet will, appears in different incarna-
tions, such as Matsya, Kirma, Varaha, Nrsirmha, Vamana, Parasurama,
Ramacandra, Balarama, Buddha and many other forms. Devotees are al-
ways eager to see one of the Lord’s innumerable forms. It is said that just
as no one can count how many waves there are in the sea, no one can
count the forms of the Lord. This does not mean, however, that anyone
can claim to be a form of the Lord and be acceptable as an incarnation.
The incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead must be ac-
cepted in terms of the descriptions found in the sdstras. Lord Brahma is
eager to see the incarnation of the Lord, or the original source of all in-
carnations; he is not eager to see an imposter. The incarnation’s activities
are proof of His identity. All the incarnations described in the sdstras act
wonderfully (kesava dhrta-mina-sarira jaya jagadisa hare). It is only by
the personal sweet will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that He
appears and disappears, and only fortunate devotees can expect to see
Him face to face.

TEXT 47

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aa Renalat a Tarfid eaPriivoll

klesa-bhiry-alpa-sarani
karmani viphalani va
dehinaém visayartanar
na tathaivarpitarh tvayi

klesa—hardship; bhiri—very much; alpa—very little; sérani—good
result; karmani—activities; viphalani—frustration; vd—either;
