sri-parikshit uvaca -- Sri Parikshit Maharaja said; samsthapanaya -- for the establishment; dharmasya -- of religious principles; prasamaya -- for the subduing; itarasya -- of the opposite; ca -- and; avatirnah -- descended (upon this earth); hi -- indeed; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; amsena -- with His plenary expansion (Sri Balarama); jagat -- of the entire universe; isvarah -- the Lord; sah -- He; katham -- how; dharma-setunam -- of the restrictive codes of moral behavior; vakta -- the original speaker; karta -- the executor; abhirakshita -- the protector; pratipam -- contrary; acarat -- behaved; brahman -- O brahmana, Sukadeva Gosvami; para -- of others; dara -- the wives; abhimarsanam -- touching.

Parikshit Maharaja said: O brahmana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the universe, has descended to this earth along with His plenary portion to destroy irreligion and reestablish religious principles. Indeed, He is the original speaker, follower and guardian of moral laws. How, then, could He have violated them by touching other men's wives?