# SB 8.24.2-3 ## Text > yad-artham adadhād rūpaṁ > mātsyaṁ loka-jugupsitam > tamaḥ-prakṛti-durmarṣaṁ > karma-grasta iveśvaraḥ > > etan no bhagavan sarvaṁ > yathāvad vaktum arhasi > uttamaśloka-caritaṁ > sarva-loka-sukhāvaham ## Synonyms *yat*-*artham*—for what purpose; *adadhāt*—accepted; *rūpam*—form; *mātsyam*—of a fish; *loka*-*jugupsitam*—which is certainly not very favorable in this world; *tamaḥ*—in the mode of ignorance; *prakṛti*—such behavior; *durmarṣam*—which is certainly very painful and condemned; *karma*-*grastaḥ*—one who is under the laws of *karma*; *iva*—like; *īśvaraḥ*—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; *etat*—all these facts; *naḥ*—unto us; *bhagavan*—O most powerful sage; *sarvam*—everything; *yathāvat*—properly; *vaktum* *arhasi*—kindly describe; *uttamaśloka*-*caritam*—the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; *sarva*-*loka*-*sukha*-*āvaham*—by hearing of which everyone becomes happy. ## Translation **What was the purpose for which the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepted the abominable form of a fish, exactly as an ordinary living being accepts different forms under the laws of karma? The form of a fish is certainly condemned and full of terrible pain. O my lord, what was the purpose of this incarnation? Kindly explain this to us, for hearing about the pastimes of the Lord is auspicious for everyone.** ## Purport Parīkṣit Mahārāja's question to Śukadeva Gosvāmī was based on this principle stated by the Lord Himself in *Bhagavad-gītā* [[bg/4/7|(Bg. 4.7)]]: > yadā yadā hi dharmasya > glānir bhavati bhārata > abhyutthānam adharmasya > tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself." The Lord appears in each incarnation to save the world from irreligious principles and especially to protect His devotees (*paritrāṇāya sādhūnām* [[bg/4/8|[Bg. 4.8] ]]). Vāmanadeva, for example, appeared to save the devotee Bali Mahārāja. Similarly, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepted the abominable form of a fish, He must have done so to favor some devotee. Parīkṣit Mahārāja was eager to know about the devotee for whom the Supreme Lord accepted this form.