Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 48

Akrūra’s Mission: The Departure from Vraja and the Yamunā Vision of Viṣṇu-Ananta

Devanagari script

तस्योत्सङ्गे घनश्यामं पीतकौशेयवाससम् । पुरुषं चतुर्भुजं शान्तं पद्मपत्रारुणेक्षणम् ॥ ४६ ॥ चारुप्रसन्नवदनं चारुहासनिरीक्षणम् । सुभ्रून्नसं चारुकर्णं सुकपोलारुणाधरम् ॥ ४७ ॥ प्रलम्बपीवरभुजं तुङ्गांसोर:स्थलश्रियम् । कम्बुकण्ठं निम्ननाभिं वलिमत्पल्लवोदरम् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

tasyotsaṅge ghana-śyāmaṁ pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam puruṣaṁ catur-bhujaṁ śāntam padma-patrāruṇekṣaṇam

Translation

Akrūra then saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead lying peacefully on the lap of Lord Ananta Śeṣa. The complexion of that Supreme Person was like a dark-blue cloud. He wore yellow garments and had four arms and reddish lotus-petal eyes. His face looked attractive and cheerful with its smiling, endearing glance and lovely eyebrows, its raised nose and finely formed ears, and its beautiful cheeks and reddish lips. The Lord’s broad shoulders and expansive chest were beautiful, and His arms long and stout. His neck resembled a conchshell, His navel was deep, and His abdomen bore lines like those on a banyan leaf.

Synonyms

• प्रलम्ब-पीवर-भुजम्: with long, strong arms
• प्रलम्ब-पीवर-भुजम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रलम्ब (प्रातिपदिक) + पीवर (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) पुरुषम्; दीर्घ-स्थूल-भुज-विशेषणसमासः

• तुङ्ग-अंसः-स्थल-श्रियम्: having the splendor of lofty shoulders and chest
• तुङ्ग-अंसः-स्थल-श्रियम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + अंस (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थल (प्रातिपदिक) + श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine) ‘श्री’-प्रधान, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणार्थे कर्म-सम्बन्धः—तुङ्गे अंसे, उरःस्थले च या श्रीः (the splendor of high shoulders and chest)

• कम्बु-कण्ठम्: with a conch-like neck
• कम्बु-कण्ठम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु (प्रातिपदिक) + कण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; कम्बुवत् कण्ठः यस्य (conch-like neck)

• निम्न-नाभिम्: with a deep navel
• निम्न-नाभिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निम्न (प्रातिपदिक) + नाभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; निम्ना नाभिः यस्य (deep navel)

• वलि-मत्-पल्लव-उदरम्: with a tender belly marked by folds
• वलि-मत्-पल्लव-उदरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वलि (प्रातिपदिक) + मत् (तद्धित-प्रत्यय; possessive) + पल्लव (प्रातिपदिक) + उदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासार्थः—वलिभिः युक्तं (valimat) पल्लववत् कोमलं उदरं यस्य (soft belly with folds)

Characters & Entities

• Akrūra
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about meditating on Krishna’s form?

This verse models devotional contemplation by describing the Lord’s transcendental features in detail, encouraging the mind to rest on His divine form as an act of bhakti.

Why did Akrura see such a majestic form of Krishna during the Yamunā episode?

In this chapter, Akrūra receives divine revelation: Kṛṣṇa’s supreme identity is disclosed to him, and he beholds the Lord’s transcendental form beyond ordinary human vision.

Practical application: how can I use this verse in daily spiritual practice?

Use the descriptions as a guided meditation—recite the verse slowly and visualize the Lord’s features, cultivating steadiness of mind and affectionate remembrance (smaraṇa).