Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 54

Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention

Devanagari script

तत: सुपर्णांसकृताङ्‍‍घ्रिपल्ल‍व: पिशङ्गवासा नवकञ्जलोचन: । अद‍ृश्यताष्टायुधबाहुरुल्ल‍स- च्छ्रीकौस्तुभानर्घ्यकिरीटकुण्डल: ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ suparṇāṁsa-kṛtāṅghri-pallavaḥ piśaṅga-vāsā nava-kañja-locanaḥ adṛśyatāṣṭāyudha-bāhur ullasac- chrī-kaustubhānarghya-kirīṭa-kuṇḍalaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose eyes resemble the petals of a newly blossomed lotus, sat on the back of Garuḍa, spreading His lotus feet over Garuḍa’s shoulders. Dressed in yellow, decorated by the Kaustubha gem and the goddess of fortune, and wearing an invaluable helmet and earrings, the Supreme Lord, holding various weapons in His eight hands, became visible to the demigods.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then; thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb); अर्थे—ततः = तस्मात्/अनन्तरम् (thereupon/then)

• suparṇa-aṁsa-kṛta-aṅghri-pallavaḥ: whose foot-lotus was placed on Garuḍa’s shoulder
• suparṇa-aṁsa-kṛta-aṅghri-pallavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suparṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + aṁsa (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛta (कृ-धातु, क्त-कृदन्त) + aṅghri (प्रातिपदिक) + pallava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः; विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• piśaṅga-vāsāḥ: wearing tawny/yellow garments
• piśaṅga-vāsāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: piśaṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + vāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (one who has tawny garments)

• nava-kañja-locanaḥ: lotus-eyed (with fresh-lotus eyes)
• nava-kañja-locanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक) + kañja (प्रातिपदिक) + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (eyes that are like fresh lotuses)

• adṛśyata: appeared; was seen
• adṛśyata: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (दृश्-धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive): ‘was seen/appeared’

• aṣṭa-āyudha-bāhuḥ: with arms bearing eight weapons
• aṣṭa-āyudha-bāhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + āyudha (प्रातिपदिक) + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (having arms with eight weapons / eight-weaponed arms)

• ullasat-śrī-kaustubha-anarghya-kirīṭa-kuṇḍalaḥ: with the Kaustubha jewel, priceless crown and earrings shining splendidly
• ullasat-śrī-kaustubha-anarghya-kirīṭa-kuṇḍalaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ullasat (उल्लस्-धातु, शतृ-कृदन्त) + śrī (प्रातिपदिक) + kaustubha (प्रातिपदिक) + anarghya (प्रातिपदिक) + kirīṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष-प्रधानः; विशेषणम् (describing ornaments)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Hari (Viṣṇu)
• Garuḍa

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about Lord Vishnu’s divine form in Canto 8?

In this verse (8.10.54), Śukadeva describes Viṣṇu appearing on Garuḍa, lotus-eyed, wearing yellow garments, and shining with eight weapon-bearing arms and ornaments like the Kaustubha jewel—emphasizing His protective, supreme majesty.

Why does Lord Vishnu appear with eight arms and weapons in the Bhagavatam?

The eight arms with weapons signify His complete power to protect devotees and restore dharma, especially in moments of cosmic conflict like the Deva–Asura battle described in this chapter.

How can devotees apply the lesson of this shloka in modern life?

By meditating on the Lord’s protective form and remembering His attributes (His beauty, weapons, and divine presence), one strengthens faith and steadiness during personal “battles,” turning to dharma and devotion instead of fear.