Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 49

Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction

Devanagari script

काञ्चीकलापपर्यस्तं लसत्काञ्चननूपुरम् । दर्शनीयतमं शान्तं मनोनयनवर्धनम् ॥ ४९ ॥

Transliteration

kāñcī-kalāpa-paryastaṁ lasat-kāñcana-nūpuram darśanīyatamaṁ śāntaṁ mano-nayana-vardhanam

Translation

The Lord is decorated with small golden bells around His waist, and His lotus feet are decorated with golden ankle bells. All His bodily features are very attractive and pleasing to the eyes. He is always peaceful, calm and quiet and very pleasing to the eyes and the mind.

Synonyms

• काञ्ची-कलाप-पर्यस्तम्: draped/encircled with a girdle-ornament
• काञ्ची-कलाप-पर्यस्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्ची (प्रातिपदिक) + कलाप (प्रातिपदिक) + पर्यस्त (कृदन्त; √अस्/अस्य्? here as past passive participle from √अस्/√स्तृ?; conventional: पर्यस्- 'to throw/put around')
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कृदन्त-भूतकर्मणि (क्त) ‘पर्यस्त’ = ‘आवेष्टित/विन्यस्त’

• लसत्-काञ्चन-नूपुरम्: shining golden anklets
• लसत्-काञ्चन-नूपुरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लसत् (कृदन्त; √लस् धातु) + काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक) + नूपुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘लसत्’ = शतृ-प्रत्यय (वर्तमान कृदन्त) ‘दीप्यमान’; समासः विशेषण-विशेष्यभावः

• दर्शनीयतमम्: most delightful to behold
• दर्शनीयतमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दर्शनीय (प्रातिपदिक; √दृश् धातु + अनीय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तमप्-प्रत्यय (superlative)

• शान्तम्: peaceful, serene
• शान्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (कृदन्त; √शम् धातु, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त

• मनः-नयन-वर्धनम्: increasing the joy of mind and eyes
• मनः-नयन-वर्धनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक) + नयन (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्धन (प्रातिपदिक; √वृध् धातु + ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मनसः नयनयोः वर्धनम्)

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva Mahārāja
• Śrī Viṣṇu (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the beauty of Lord Vishnu’s form?

This verse describes Viṣṇu’s transcendental form as supremely beautiful, ornamented with a jeweled belt and golden anklets, and so peaceful that it increases the joy of the mind and eyes.

Why is Lord Vishnu described as ‘śānta’ (perfectly peaceful) in Dhruva’s story?

Dhruva’s intense determination culminates in a direct vision of the Lord, whose serene presence pacifies agitation and fulfills the devotee’s longing—showing that the Lord’s darśana brings inner calm and spiritual satisfaction.

How can a modern devotee apply this verse in daily life?

Regularly contemplate the Lord’s peaceful, beautiful form through mantra, prayer, and scripture—because focusing the mind on divine qualities steadies emotions and nurtures devotion.