Lord Viṣṇu's Divine Instructions to the Universe

This compiled article presents a thematic survey of the instructions and statements of Lord Viṣṇu. It organizes the profound teachings found in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Visnu.

Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the maintainer of the material universes. While Kṛṣṇa is often associated with the intimate pastimes of Vṛndāvana, Lord Viṣṇu appears in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam primarily in His administrative aspect—giving orders to Lord Brahmā, settling disputes between demigods and demons, and establishing the principles of dharma for earthly kings. His instructions are the ultimate authority (siddhānta), cutting through illusion and establishing that the entire cosmic manifestation is but a display of His external energy, meant to be utilized in His service.

Lord Viṣṇu is the 11th top speaker of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with 149 verses at Vanisource. He speaks in all cantos except the 9th and 12th: 1st (4 verses), 2nd (12 verses), 3rd (41 verses), 4th (45 verses), 5th (2 verses), 6th (11 verses), 7th (4 verses), 8th (24 verses), and 10th canto (6 verses).

The Supreme Position of Lord Viṣṇu

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the absolute, independent truth existing prior to the cosmic manifestation. He instructs that the material nature is merely a temporary display of His external potency, having no reality separate from Him.

The Independent Cause of All Causes

Refuting the atheistic theory that life arises from matter, Lord Viṣṇu confirms to Brahmā that He is the original cause and that the entire universe is generated from His own spiritual energy.

"Brahma, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation."
"That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I, the Personality of Godhead."
"I am the reservoir of unlimited potency, and therefore I am known as unlimited or all-pervading. From My material energy the cosmic manifestation appeared within Me, and in this universal manifestation appeared the chief being, Lord Brahmā."
"Before the creation of this cosmic manifestation, I alone existed with My specific spiritual potencies. Consciousness was then unmanifested, just as one's consciousness is unmanifested during the time of sleep."

The Illusory Potency (Māyā)

Lord Viṣṇu explains the mystery of acintya-bhedābheda: while He pervades the material elements, He remains simultaneously aloof, and the material world is but a reflection of reality in darkness.

"My dear Dakṣa Dvija, I am the original Personality of Godhead, but in order to create, maintain and annihilate this cosmic manifestation, I act through My material energy, and according to the different grades of activity, My representations are differently named."
"O Brahmā, please know that the universal elements enter into the cosmos and at the same time do not enter into the cosmos; similarly, I Myself also exist within everything created, and at the same time I am outside of everything."
"The Personality of Godhead said: O Brahmā, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which appears to be in darkness."
"My dear Lord Śambhu, who within this material world but you can surpass My illusory energy? People are generally attached to sense enjoyment and conquered by its influence. Indeed, the influence of material nature is very difficult for them to surmount."
"Lord Viṣṇu told King Pṛthu: My dear King, the constant change of this material world is due to the interaction of the three modes of material nature."
"The material, external energy (māyā), who cooperates with Me in creation and who is manifested in the three modes of nature, will not be able to bewilder you any longer."

Nature of the Soul and Supersoul

Material existence is based on the misidentification of the self with the body; the Lord instructs that real knowledge means realizing the qualitative oneness of the soul with the Supersoul, who is the witness within the heart.

The Supersoul (Paramātmā)

Lord Viṣṇu confirms that He is the supreme director situated within the heart of every living entity, witnessing their activities.

"I am the Supersoul of every individual. I am the supreme director and the dearest. People are wrongly attached to the gross and subtle bodies, but they should be attached to Me only."
"The individual soul is one, Pure, nonmaterial and self-effulgent. He is the reservoir of all good qualities, and He is all-pervading. He is without material covering, and He is the witness of all activities."
"When the heart is cleansed of all material contamination, the devotee's mind becomes broader and transparent, and he can see things equally. At that stage of life there is peace, and one is situated equally with Me as sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha."
"Those who are in full knowledge of the bodily conception of life, who know that this body is composed of nescience, desires and activities resulting from illusion, do not become addicted to the body."

Distinction Between Body and Soul

Viṣṇu clearly distinguishes the eternal spirit soul from the temporary covering of the gross and subtle bodies.

"Anyone who knows that this material body, made of the five gross elements, the sense organs, the working senses and the mind, is simply supervised by the fixed soul is eligible to be liberated from material bondage."
"How can a highly learned person who has absolutely no affinity for the bodily conception of life be affected by the bodily conception in regard to house, children, wealth and similar other bodily productions?"
"The five elements, the senses, the demigods who control the senses, as well as the mind, which is agitated by the spirit soul - all these taken together comprise the body."
"Since the spirit soul is completely different from this combination of gross and subtle material elements My devotee who is connected with Me in intense friendship and affection being completely in knowledge is never agitated by material happiness and distress."

Oneness and Difference in Administration

Lord Viṣṇu clarifies that while the demigods are empowered by Him, realizing their non-difference in purpose brings peace, while seeing them as independent brings illusion.

"The Lord continued: One who does not consider Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva or the living entities in general to be separate from the Supreme, and who knows Brahman, actually realizes peace; others do not."
"Lord Viṣṇu replied: Brahmā, Lord Śiva and I are the supreme cause of the material manifestation. I am the Supersoul, the self sufficient witness. But impersonally there is no difference between Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Me."
"The Lord continued: One who is not in proper knowledge thinks that demigods like Brahmā and Śiva are independent, or he even thinks that the living entities are independent."
"A person with average intelligence does not think the head and other parts of the body to be separate. Similarly, My devotee does not differentiate Viṣṇu, the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, from any thing or any living entity."

Instructions on Cosmic Management

Acting as the supreme director, Lord Viṣṇu orders the Prajāpatis to populate the universe, emphasizing that their service in creating progeny is a direct offering to the Supreme without personal motivation.

The Command to Expand Population

Lord Viṣṇu commands the progenitors to increase the population not for sense gratification, but to expand the field of service in the material world according to His desire.

"Since you have desired to increase the population innumerably and expand your varieties of service, you shall never be deprived in this matter because My causeless mercy upon you will always increase for all time."
"Now unite in sexual life as man and woman, and in this way, by sexual intercourse, you will be able to beget hundreds of children in the womb of this girl to increase the population."
"Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, the Manus, all the other demigods in the higher planetary systems, and you prajāpatis, who are increasing the population, are working for the benefit of all living entities."
"By following My instructions you can now generate the living entities as before, by dint of your complete Vedic wisdom and the body you have directly received from Me, the supreme cause of everything."
"After you give birth to many hundreds and thousands of children, they will also be captivated by My illusory energy and will engage, like You, in sexual intercourse."

Divine Arranged Marriages

To facilitate this service, Lord Viṣṇu personally arranges the marriages of His devotees, selecting the perfect partners to ensure the execution of dharma.

Dakṣa and Asiknī

The Lord personally arranges the union of Prajāpati Dakṣa.

"O My dear son Dakṣa, Prajāpati Pañcajana has a daughter named Asiknī, whom I offer to you so that you may accept her as your wife."
"Since all of you are very much obedient to My orders, I ask you to immediately marry that girl, who is so well qualified with beauty and good qualities. According to the order of your father, create progeny through her."
"My dear sir, her parents will come to see you, who are exactly suitable for her, just to deliver their daughter as your wife."

Other Divine Unions

He arranges marriages for the Pracetās and other sages to maintain the cosmic order.

"He has a grown-up daughter whose eyes are black. She is ready for marriage, and she has good character and all good qualities. She is also searching for a good husband."
"That princess, O holy sage, will be just the type you have been thinking of in your heart for all these long years. She will soon be yours and will serve you to your heart's content."
"The heavenly society girl named Pramlocā kept the lotus-eyed daughter of Kaṇḍu in the care of the forest trees. Then she went back to the heavenly planet. This daughter was born by the coupling of the Apsarā named Pramlocā with the sage Kaṇḍu."
"Always thinking of Me as being situated within the body of your husband, Kaśyapa, go worship your husband, who has been purified by his austerity."
"She (Devahūti) will bring forth nine daughters from the seed sown in her by you (Kadama Muni), and through the daughters you beget, the sages will duly beget children."

Diplomacy with Demons (The Churning of the Ocean)

Lord Viṣṇu teaches the demigods the art of political diplomacy, instructing them that for a higher cause, one must sometimes make a truce with enemies.

The Logic of Truce

He advises that when one is weak, one must accept a truce, even with the envious, following the logic of the snake and the mouse.

"O demigods, fulfilling one's own interests is so important that one may even have to make a truce with one's enemies. For the sake of one's self-interest, one has to act according to the logic of the snake and the mouse."
"As long as you are not flourishing, you should make a truce with the demons and asuras, who are now being favored by time."
"My dear demigods, with patience and peace everything can be done, but if one is agitated by anger, the goal is not achieved. Therefore, whatever the demons ask, agree to their proposal."
"Supreme Personality of Godhead said to demigods, 'Do not be aggrieved. By My own energy I shall bewilder the demons by creating a quarrel among them. In this way I shall fulfill your desire to have the nectar.'"
"O mother of the demigods, in My opinion almost all the chiefs of the demons are now unconquerable, for they are being protected by brāhmaṇas, whom the SL always favors. Thus the use of power against them now will not at all be a source of happiness."

Execution of the Churning

He gives precise technical instructions for churning the ocean of milk, warning the demigods to remain undisturbed by the by-products of the endeavor.

"A poison known as kālakūṭa will be generated from the ocean of milk, but you should not fear it. And when various products are churned from the ocean, you should not be greedy for them or anxious to obtain them, nor should you be angry."
"Lord Viṣṇu said: O demigods, cast into the ocean of milk all kinds of vegetables, grass, creepers and drugs. Then, with My help, making Mandara Mountain the churning rod and Vāsuki the rope for churning, churn the ocean of milk with undiverted attention."
"Immediately endeavor to produce nectar, which a person who is about to die may drink to become immortal."

Instructions on Rāja-dharma (Duties of Kings)

Lord Viṣṇu commands the earthly kings to rule as His representatives, remaining equipoised in happiness and distress,, and to strictly protect the citizens according to religious principles.

Protection and Equality

The Lord instructs that a king must be free from envy and treat all citizens with equal vision, understanding that his spiritual success depends on their protection.

"To give protection to the general mass of people who are citizens of the state is the prescribed occupational duty for a king. By acting in that way, the king in his next life shares one sixth of the result of the pious activities of the citizens."
"My dear heroic King, please keep yourself always equipoised and treat people equally, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you. Do not be disturbed by temporary distress or happiness."
"My dear King Pṛthu, if you continue to protect the citizens according to the instructions of the learned brāhmaṇa authorities, as they are received by the disciplic succession, then every one of your citizens will be happy and will love you."
"Fully control your mind and senses. In this transcendental position, try to execute your duty as king in whatever condition of life you may be posted by My arrangement, for your only duty here is to give protection to the citizens of your kingdom."

Obedience to Lord Viṣṇu's Order

The Lord warns that a king's potency is derived solely from obedience to the Supreme; thus, a ruler must faithfully execute the orders of Lord Viṣṇu to maintain his good fortune.

"My dear King, O protector of the citizens, henceforward be very careful to execute My orders and not be misled by anything. Anyone who lives in that way, simply carrying out My orders faithfully, will always find good fortune all over the world."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, continued: My dear King Pṛthu, when one situated in his occupational duty engages in My loving service without motive for material gain, he gradually becomes very satisfied within."
"Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, said: My dear King Pṛthu, Indra, the King of heaven, has disturbed your execution of one hundred sacrifices. Now he has come with Me to be forgiven by you. Therefore excuse him."
"The great sage Maitreya continued by saying that the Lord, the seer of the universe, after hearing Pṛthu Mahārāja's prayer, addressed the King: My dear King, may you always be blessed by engaging in My devotional service."

Benedictions to Dhruva Mahārāja

Lord Viṣṇu reciprocates with the determination of Dhruva, awarding him the immovable Polestar which survives even the cosmic dissolution.

The Polestar

The Supreme Lord awards Dhruva a position that even the great sages circumambulate, honoring his determination.

"After your (Dhruva) father goes to the forest and awards you the rule of his kingdom, you will rule continuously the entire world for thirty-six thousand years, and all your senses will continue to be as strong as they are now."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead continued: My dear Dhruva, I shall award you the glowing planet known as the polestar, which will continue to exist even after the dissolution at the end of the millennium."
"The Personality of Godhead said: My dear Dhruva, son of the King, you have executed pious vows and I also know the desire within your heart. Although your desire is very ambitious and very difficult to fulfill, I shall favor you with its fulfillment. All good fortune unto you."
"The Personality of Godhead continued: My dear Dhruva, after your material life in this body, you will go to My planet, which is always offered obeisances by the residents of all other planetary systems."
"He has obstructed the universal breathing process. You can safely return to your respective homes. I shall stop this boy in his severe acts of austerities, and you will be saved from this situation."
"Keeping the polestar to their right, all the stars inhabited by the great sages like Dharma, Agni, Kaśyapa and Śukra circumambulate this planet, which continues to exist even after the dissolution of all others."
"No one has ever ruled this planet, which is surrounded by all the solar systems, planets and stars. All the luminaries in the sky circumambulate this planet, just as bulls tread around a central pole for the purpose of crushing grains."

The Fate of His Family

He reveals the future karma of Dhruva's family members, showing that Lord Viṣṇu knows past, present, and future.

"The Lord continued: Sometime in the future your (Dhruva's) brother, Uttama, will go hunting in the forest, and while absorbed in hunting, he will be killed."
"Your (Dhruva's) stepmother, Suruci, being maddened upon the death of her son, will go to search him out in the forest, but she will be devoured by a forest fire."

Benedictions to the Pracetās

Pleased by the friendly cooperation of the Pracetās, Lord Viṣṇu blesses them with material enjoyment followed by liberation.

"My dear princes, by My mercy, you can enjoy all the facilities of this world as well as the heavenly world. Indeed, you can enjoy all of them without hindrance and with full strength for one million celestial years."
"The Lord continued: Those who remember you every evening of every day will become friendly with their brothers and with all other living entities."
"You brothers are all of the same nature, being devotees and obedient sons of your father. Similarly, that girl is also of the same type and is dedicated to all of you. Thus both the girl and you, the sons of Prācinabarhiṣat, are on the same platform."
"The Lord continued: I am the heart of all sacrifices. You will be able to perform many great sacrifices and also give great charities. In this way you will be able to enjoy the blessings of material happiness in this life."

The Science of Bhakti (Devotional Service)

Lord Viṣṇu reveals that He is not satisfied by ritualistic sacrifices or severe austerities alone, but is purchased only by the unalloyed devotional service of His surrendered devotees.

The Power of Penance and Meditation

Real austerity means fixing the mind on the form of Lord Viṣṇu; the Lord confirms that such transcendental meditation is the only way to attract His causeless mercy.

"I (the Supreme Personality of Godhead) wish you good luck. O Brahmā, you may ask from Me, the giver of all benediction, all that you may desire. You may know that the ultimate benediction, as the result of all penances, is to see Me by realization."
"O Brahmā, the prayers that you have chanted praising the glories of My transcendental activities, the penances you have undertaken to understand Me, and your firm faith in Me - all these are to be considered My causeless mercy."
"Austerity in the form of meditation is My (the Supreme Personality of Godhead) heart, Vedic knowledge in the form of hymns and mantras constitutes My body, and spiritual activities and ecstatic emotions are My actual form."
"One who does not possess elevated qualities and behavior cannot possibly achieve My favor simply by performance of sacrifices, severe austerities or mystic yoga. But I always remain equipoised in the heart of one who is also equipoised in all circumstances."
"I create this cosmos by such penance, I maintain it by the same energy, and I withdraw it all by the same energy. Therefore the potential power is penance only."

Seeing Lord Viṣṇu

The Lord reveals that He is only visible to those who have cleansed their hearts through devotion, yet out of kindness, He appears to the sincere seeker.

"O sinless Brahmā, you may know from Me that it was I (God) who first ordered you to undergo penance when you were perplexed in your duty. Such penance is My heart and soul, and therefore penance and I are nondifferent."
"The beautiful Personality of Godhead addressed Lord Brahmā: O Brahmā, impregnated with the Vedas, I am very much pleased with your long accumulated penance with the desire for creation. Hardly am I pleased with the pseudo mystics."
"The Supreme Lord said: Having come to know what was in your mind, I have already arranged for that for which you have worshiped Me well through your mental and sensory discipline."
"It is the opinion of expert transcendentalists that the ultimate goal of performing all traditional good works, penances, sacrifices, charities, mystic activities, trances, etc., is to invoke My satisfaction."
"I am very much pleased by your (Brahmā's) description of Me (Viṣṇu) in terms of My transcendental qualities, which appear mundane to the mundaners."
"I am very pleased with you because you are endeavoring to fulfill My desire for the welfare of the entire world."

The Lord as Servitor of His Devotees

Although the Supreme Lord is equal to everyone, He declares that He becomes the servant of His devotees, protecting them from all dangers.

"The Lord continued: Because I am the servitor of My devotees, My lotus feet have become so sacred that they immediately wipe out all sin."
"If I can take the dust of the feet of the Vaiṣṇava on My head, who will refuse to do the same?"
"O most fortunate Pracetasa, because of your great faith in Me, you have attained the supreme devotional ecstasy. Indeed, because of your austerities, combined with exalted devotion, your life is now successful."
"Intelligence engaged in My devotion cannot be thwarted at any time. Even at the time of creation, as well as at the time of annihilation, your remembrance will continue by My mercy."
"By service of the Absolute Truth, even for a few days, a devotee attains firm and fixed intelligence in Me (Lord Viṣṇu). Consequently he goes on to become My associate in the transcendental world after giving up the present deplorable material worlds."
"The Lord continued: My dear ṛṣi, O leader of the living entities, for those who serve Me in devotion by worshiping Me, especially persons like you who have given up everything unto Me, there is never any question of frustration."

Defense Against Enemies (Hiraṇyakaśipu)

The Lord assures the demigods that while He allows the demons to flourish for a time, He will personally intervene to destroy them when they offend a pure devotee.

"When Hiraṇyakaśipu teases the great devotee Prahlāda, his own son, who is peaceful and sober and who has no enemy, I shall kill Hiraṇyakaśipu immediately, despite the benedictions of Brahmā."
"Wheresoever I go, Hiraṇyakaśipu will follow Me, as death follows all living entities. Therefore it is better for Me to enter the core of his heart, for then, because of his power to see only externally, he will not see Me."
"Any human being who prays like Brahmā, and who thus worships Me, shall very soon be blessed with the fulfillment of all his desires, for I am the Lord of all benediction."
"When one is envious of the demigods, who represent God, of the Vedas, which give all knowledge, of the cows, brāhmaṇas, Vaiṣṇavas and religious principles, and ultimately of Me, God, he and his civilization will be vanquished without delay."

The Protection of Brāhmaṇas and Culture

As namo brahmaṇya-devāya, Lord Viṣṇu declares that the brāhmaṇas are His very mouth, and He accepts offerings through them with more relish than through the sacrificial fire.

The Offense of Jaya and Vijaya

Lord Viṣṇu demonstrates His affection for the brāhmaṇas by accepting the curse placed upon His own doorkeepers, teaching that even the Lord’s associates are not exempt from the etiquette of respecting sages.

"To Me, the brāhmaṇa is the highest and most beloved personality. The disrespect shown by My attendants has actually been displayed by Me because the doormen are My servitors."
"The Lord replied: O brāhmaṇas, know that the punishment you inflicted on them was originally ordained by Me, and therefore they will fall to a birth in a demoniac family."
"The Lord then said to His attendants, Jaya and Vijaya: Depart this place, but fear not. All glories unto you. Though I am capable of nullifying the brāhmaṇas' curse, I would not do so. On the contrary, it has My approval."
"A wrong act committed by a servant leads people in general to blame his master, just as a spot of white leprosy on any part of the body pollutes all of the skin."
"These servants of Mine have transgressed against you, not knowing the mind of their master."
"The Personality of Godhead said: These attendants of Mine, Jaya and Vijaya by name, have committed a great offense against you because of ignoring Me."
"Now you have realized Me without doubt; therefore I will not hesitate to lop off My own arm if its conduct is found hostile to you."
"O great sages, I approve of the punishment that you who are devoted to Me have meted out to them."

Punishment and Restoration

While Lord Viṣṇu approves the punishment to set an example, He also reassures His servants that their fall is temporary and they will return to Him shortly.

"The Lord assured the two Vaikuṇṭha inhabitants, Jaya and Vijaya: By practicing the mystic yoga system in anger, you will be cleansed of the sin of disobeying the brāhmaṇas and within a very short time return to Me."
"I shall therefore deem it a favor done to Me if you order that, although reaping the fruit of their transgression, they may return to My presence soon and the time of their exile from My abode may expire before long."
"They will be firmly united with Me in thought through mental concentration intensified by anger, and they will return to My presence shortly."
"This departure from Vaikuṇṭha was foretold by Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune. She was very angry because when she left My abode and then returned, you stopped her at the gate while I was sleeping."
"The Lord, who can distinctly see the minds of others, perceived Brahmā's distress and said to him: 'Cast off this impure body of yours.' Thus commanded by the Lord, Brahmā cast off his body."

Sanctity of the Brāhmaṇas

Lord Viṣṇu explains that offering respect to the brāhmaṇas is the secret to capturing the Lord's heart.

"I do not enjoy the oblations offered by the sacrificers in the sacrificial fire, which is one of My own mouths, with the same relish as I do the delicacies overflowing with ghee which are offered to the mouths of the brāhmaṇas."
"The brāhmaṇas, the cows and the defenseless creatures are My (the Lord's) own body. Those whose faculty of judgment has been impaired by their own sin look upon these as distinct from Me. They are just like furious serpents."
"On the other hand, they captivate My heart who are gladdened in heart and who, their lotus faces enlightened by nectarean smiles, respect the brāhmaṇas, even though the brāhmaṇas utter harsh words."
"In any case, because you are all qualified brāhmaṇas, your vibrations should not prove untrue. I consider the brāhmaṇas who are well qualified with brahminical qualities to be as good as My own mouth."
"They look upon the brāhmaṇas as My own Self and pacify them by praising them in loving words, even as a son would appease an angry father or as I am pacifying you."
"I have acquired such a disposition that the goddess of fortune does not leave Me, even though I have no attachment for her and others praise her beauty and observe sacred vows to secure from her even a slight favor."
"They (those whose faculty of judgment has been impaired by their own sin) are angrily torn apart by the bills of the vulturelike messengers of Yamarāja, the superintendent of sinful persons."

Specific Incarnations of Viṣṇu

To reclaim the fallen souls and establish dharma, Lord Viṣṇu descends in various transcendental forms, which are fully spiritual and distinct from the temporary material body.

The Reason for Descent

The Supreme Lord Viṣṇu explains that He appears to fulfill the desires of His devotees and to perform activities that are impossible for any material being.

"Since I (Viṣṇu) am the Supreme Person without a second and since no one is equal to Me, another personality like Me is not possible to find."
"Since I cannot find anyone equal to Me, I shall personally expand Myself into a plenary portion and thus advent Myself in the womb of Merudevī, the wife of Mahārāja Nābhi, the son of Agnīdhra."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: When the demons took away the jug of nectar, I assumed the form of a beautiful woman to bewilder them by directly cheating them and thus to act in the interest of the demigods."
"Yet because I have been satisfied by the activities of your vow, O goddess Aditi, I must find some means to favor you, for worship of Me never goes in vain but certainly gives the desired result according to what one deserves."
"If a personality like you, who are so much advanced because of executing the instructions of the previous ācāryas, is carried away by the influence of My material energy, then all your advancement may be considered simply a waste of time."

Mohinī-mūrti

Lord Viṣṇu assumes the form of a beautiful woman to bewilder the demons and Lord Śiva, proving the power of His illusory energy.

"O best of the demigods, I (Lord Viṣṇu) shall now show you (Śiva) My form that is very much appreciated by those who are lusty. Since you want to see that form, I shall reveal it in your presence."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O best of the demigods, although you have been amply harassed because of My potency in assuming the form of a woman, you are established in your position. Therefore, may all good fortune be upon you."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and other demigods, please hear Me with great attention, for what I say will bring good fortune for all of you."

Kapiladeva and Ṛṣabhadeva

Lord Viṣṇu appears as the son of His pure devotees to propound the philosophy of Sāṅkhya and self-realization.

"O great sage, I shall manifest My own plenary portion through your wife, Devahūti, along with your nine daughters, and I shall instruct her in the system of philosophy that deals with the ultimate principles or categories."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: My dear demigods, do not be perturbed by this. It is due to the severe austerity and full determination of the son of King Uttānapāda, who is now fully absorbed in thought of Me."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: O great sages, I am certainly very pleased with your prayers. You are all truthful. You have prayed for the benediction of a son like Me for King Nābhi, but this is very difficult to obtain."

Vāmanadeva (The Son of Aditi)

Responding to the prayers of Aditi, He appears as the dwarf incarnation to restore the kingdom of heaven to the demigods.

"You have prayed to Me and properly worshiped Me by performing the great payo-vrata ceremony for the sake of protecting your sons. Because of Kaśyapa Muni's austerities, I shall agree to become your son and thus protect your other sons."
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O mother of the demigods, I have already understood your long-cherished desires for the welfare of your sons, who have been deprived of all opulences and driven from their residence by their enemies."
"O Devī, O goddess, I can understand that you want to regain your sons and be together with them to worship Me, after defeating the enemies in battle and retrieving your abode and opulences."
"You (Aditi) want to see the wives of the demons lamenting for the death of their husbands when those demons, the enemies of your sons, are killed in battle by the demigods, of whom Indra is the chief."
"You want your sons to regain their lost reputation and opulence and live again on their heavenly planet as usual."
"You will have a nice son, who will be in no way inferior to Lord Brahmā. Consequently, he will be very famous all over the universe, and the sons and grandsons generated by him will fill the three worlds."

Final Goal

Lord Viṣṇu concludes that the ultimate purpose of all instructions, creation, and maintenance is to return to the spiritual world, where the soul acts in its pure form.

Returning Home, Back to Godhead

Lord Viṣṇu instructs that one who is free from the material conception of life and engages in devotional service attains the supreme abode.

"You will develop unadulterated devotional service unto Me and be freed from all material contamination. At that time, being completely unattached to material enjoyment in the so-called heavenly planets as well as in hellish planets, you will return home, back to Godhead."
"It is situated above the planets of the seven ṛṣis, and having gone there you will never have to come back again to this material world."
"Those who are engaged in auspicious activities in devotional service certainly understand that the ultimate enjoyer or beneficiary of all activities is the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
"They will also be able to give Me presentations in devotion because of My mercy to you and them."
"O King, one who is advanced in intelligence and eager to perform welfare activities for others is considered best amongst human beings. An advanced human being is never malicious to others."
"O lady, even if someone inquires, you should not disclose this fact to anyone. That which is very confidential is successful if kept secret."

Transcendental Vision

Ultimately, the devotee sees the Lord everywhere and offers the results of all activities to Him.

"Those who will offer Me the prayers composed by Lord Śiva, both in the morning and in the evening, will be given benedictions by Me. In this way they can both fulfill their desires and attain good intelligence."
"Thus when one acts, he offers the results to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and passes life always engaged in the topics of the Lord. Even though such a person may be participating in family life, he is not affected by the results of his actions."
"Always engaging in the activities of devotional service, devotees feel ever-increasingly fresh and new in all their activities. The all-knower, the Supersoul within the heart of the devotee, makes everything increasingly fresh."
"My dear King, I am very captivated by your elevated qualities and excellent behavior, and thus I am very favorably inclined toward you. You may therefore ask from Me any benediction you like."
"When you are free from the conception of gross and subtle bodies and when your senses are free from all influences of the modes of material nature, you will realize your pure form in My association. At that time you will be situated in pure consciousness."
"You will see Me in all living entities as well as all over the universe, just as fire is situated in wood. Only in that state of transcendental vision will you be able to be free from all kinds of illusion."
"All of Me, namely My actual eternal form and My transcendental existence, color, qualities and activities - let all be awakened within you by factual realization, out of My causeless mercy."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Visnu. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses in their original context.