Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 5
Aditi’s Payo-vrata and Viṣṇu’s Promise to Appear as Her Son
Prelude to Vāmana
तं नेत्रगोचरं वीक्ष्य सहसोत्थाय सादरम् । ननाम भुवि कायेन दण्डवत् प्रीतिविह्वला ॥ ५ ॥
taṁ netra-gocaraṁ vīkṣya sahasotthāya sādaram nanāma bhuvi kāyena daṇḍavat-prīti-vihvalā
When the Supreme Personality of Godhead became visible to Aditi’s eyes, Aditi was so overwhelmed by transcendental bliss that she at once stood up and then fell to the ground like a rod to offer the Lord her respectful obeisances.
FAQs
Daṇḍavat praṇāma means offering full prostrated obeisance—lying like a rod—showing complete humility and reverence, as Aditi does here upon seeing the venerable sage.
Because Kaśyapa is her husband and a great ṛṣi; seeing him, Aditi becomes filled with affectionate devotion and immediately honors him with respectful full-body obeisance.
Cultivate humility and gratitude—offer sincere respect to teachers, parents, and spiritual guides, and let reverence be expressed through attentive service and courteous conduct.