Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 32

Lakṣmī’s Emergence, Dhanvantari, and the Advent of Mohinī-mūrti

Devanagari script

दीर्घपीवरदोर्दण्ड: कम्बुग्रीवोऽरुणेक्षण: । श्यामलस्तरुण: स्रग्वी सर्वाभरणभूषित: ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

dīrgha-pīvara-dor-daṇḍaḥ kambu-grīvo ’ruṇekṣaṇaḥ śyāmalas taruṇaḥ sragvī sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitaḥ

Translation

He was strongly built; his arms were long, stout and strong; his neck, which was marked with three lines, resembled a conchshell; his eyes were reddish; and his complexion was blackish. He was very young, he was garlanded with flowers, and his entire body was fully decorated with various ornaments.

Synonyms

• दीर्घपीवरदोर्दण्डः: having long, stout arms
• दीर्घपीवरदोर्दण्डः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ + पीवर + दोः + दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (one whose arm-staffs are long and stout)

• कम्बुग्रीवः: conch-necked
• कम्बुग्रीवः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु + ग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (one whose neck is like a conch)

• अरुणेक्षणः: reddish-eyed
• अरुणेक्षणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अरुण + ईक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (one whose eyes are reddish)

• श्यामलः: dark-complexioned
• श्यामलः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्यामल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तरुणः: youthful
• तरुणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• स्रग्वी: garlanded
• स्रग्वी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्रग्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्/इन्-प्रत्ययान्त (wearing a garland)

• सर्वाभरणभूषितः: adorned with all ornaments
• सर्वाभरणभूषितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + आभरण + भूषित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (adorned with all ornaments)

Characters & Entities

• Dhanvantari

FAQs

Who is described in Srimad Bhagavatam 8.8.32?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes Dhanvantari, a manifestation of the Lord who appears during the churning of the Milk Ocean, with auspicious divine features and ornaments.

Why does the Bhagavata Purana describe Dhanvantari’s physical features in detail?

The verse highlights divine, auspicious characteristics that inspire devotion and recognition of the Lord’s transcendental presence during Samudra Manthana.

What is the practical application of this shloka for modern life?

Remembering and contemplating the Lord’s forms (rūpa-smaraṇa) nurtures bhakti, steadies the mind, and encourages a sacred, reverential outlook toward healing and dharma.