Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 32
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Request to See Māyā and the Vision of the Cosmic Deluge
तस्मिन् पृथिव्या: ककुदि प्ररूढं वटं च तत्पर्णपुटे शयानम् । तोकं च तत्प्रेमसुधास्मितेन निरीक्षितोऽपाङ्गनिरीक्षणेन ॥ ३१ ॥ अथ तं बालकं वीक्ष्य नेत्राभ्यां धिष्ठितं हृदि । अभ्ययादतिसङ्क्लिष्ट: परिष्वक्तुमधोक्षजम् ॥ ३२ ॥
tasmin pṛthivyāḥ kakudi prarūḍhaṁ vaṭaṁ ca tat-parṇa-puṭe śayānam tokaṁ ca tat-prema-sudhā-smitena nirīkṣito ’pāṅga-nirīkṣaṇena
In that vast sea he again saw the banyan tree growing on the tiny island and the infant boy lying within the leaf. The child glanced at him from the corner of His eyes with a smile imbued with the nectar of love, and Mārkaṇḍeya took Him into his heart through his eyes. Greatly agitated, the sage ran to embrace the transcendental Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse describes Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi seeing a divine child lying within a banyan leaf, who smiles and casts a loving sidelong glance—an intimate form of the Lord’s darśana revealing His tender, personal aspect.
The sidelong glance accompanied by a nectar-like smile indicates affectionate grace—an unspoken invitation into devotion and a reassurance that the Supreme is both majestic and lovingly accessible.
Cultivate bhakti through attentive remembrance: even a small moment of sincere devotion can feel like the Lord’s “glance”—bringing calm, trust, and renewed spiritual focus.