In this way, the formal declaration (pratijñā), “Kṛṣṇa, however, is Svayaṁ Bhagavān,” like a great heroic emperor, single-handedly overrules hundreds of opposing statements, assimilating them unto itself. Yet, just to augment the pleasure of the audience by a display of unique splendor, I will now cite other verses as well that are like the emperor’s supporting fourfold army. First, in their prayers to Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the devas speak of His agency in the matter of the līlāvatāras:

O Almighty Lord (Īśa), reverence unto You. Just as [in the past] You have protected us as well as the three worlds through Your avatāric descents as a fish (Matsya), a horse [Hayagrīva], a tortoise [Kūrma], a man-lion (Nṛsiṁha), a boar (Varāha), a swan (Haṁsa), a kṣatriya [Śrī Rāma], a brāhmaṇa [Śrī Paraśurāma], and a deva [Śrī Vāmana], O Best of the Yadus, please now remove the burden of the earth. (SB 10.2.40)