Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 6
The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa
काशिष्णुना कनकवर्णविभूषणेन भ्राजत्कपोलवदनो विलसत्किरीट: । अष्टायुधैरनुचरैर्मुनिभि: सुरेन्द्रै- रासेवितो गरुडकिन्नरगीतकीर्ति: ॥ ६ ॥
kāśiṣṇunā kanaka-varṇa-vibhūṣaṇena bhrājat-kapola-vadano vilasat-kirīṭaḥ aṣṭāyudhair anucarair munibhiḥ surendrair āsevito garuḍa-kinnara-gīta-kīrtiḥ
The Lord’s face was very beautiful, and His head was decorated with a shining helmet and golden ornaments. The helmet was dazzling and was very beautifully situated on His head. The Lord had eight arms, which each held a particular weapon. The Lord was surrounded by demigods, great sages and other associates. These were all engaged in His service. Garuḍa, the carrier of the Lord, glorified the Lord with Vedic hymns by flapping his wings. Garuḍa appeared to be an inhabitant of the planet known as Kinnaraloka.
Generally the Viṣṇu form is manifested with four hands holding four objects — a conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower. However, here Lord Viṣṇu is described as possessing eight arms with eight kinds of weapons. According to Vīrarāghava Ācārya, the conchshell and lotus flower are also accepted as weapons. Since the Lord is the supreme controller, whatever is in His hand can be considered a weapon. Four hands hold four kinds of weapons, and the extra four hands hold an arrow, bow, trident and snake. Śrī Vīrarāghava Ācārya describes the eight weapons as śaṅkha, cakra, gadā, padma, śārṅga, śara, etc.
FAQs
This verse describes the Lord’s radiant, ornamented form—golden brilliance, shining face, and resplendent crown—emphasizing that His transcendental beauty naturally inspires worship by sages and the celestials.
In the narrative of the Pracetās, the Lord appears as the supreme object of devotion; even exalted beings like great sages and heavenly rulers honor Him, showing His supremacy beyond all ranks of the cosmos.
Like Garuḍa and the Kinnaras singing His fame, one can cultivate bhakti through kīrtana—regularly chanting, hearing, and remembering the Lord’s qualities to steady the mind and deepen devotion.