|| 1.1.18 ||
athākhyāhi harer dhīmann avatāra‑kathāḥ śubhāḥ |
īlā vidadhataḥ svairam īśvarasyātma‑māyayā ||
śrīdharaḥ : atheti praśnāntare | avatāra-kathāḥ sthity-artham eva tat-tad-avasare ye matsyādy-avatārāḥ, tadīyāḥ kathāḥ | svairaṁ līlāḥ kurvataḥ | śri-kṛṣṇāvatāra-prayojana-praśnaiva tac-carita-praśno’pi jāta eveti jñātavyam ||18||
Translation:-The fourth question is asked in this verse. atha is used to indicate another question is asked here about the incarnation of the lord.
The supreme lord to protect the creation appeared as diiferent incarnations like fish, turtle and so on. Please narrate us the different pastimes by the supreme lord in different incarnations.
This question about the pastimes of different incarnation is asked in the context of asking the pastime of the lord kṛṣṇa and need of his incarnation.
