Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 20
Viṣṇupadī Gaṅgā: Descent, Cosmic Pathways, and Śiva’s Praise of Saṅkarṣaṇa
असद्दृशो य: प्रतिभाति मायया क्षीबेव मध्वासवताम्रलोचन: । न नागवध्वोऽर्हण ईशिरे ह्रियायत्पादयो: स्पर्शनधर्षितेन्द्रिया: ॥ २० ॥
asad-dṛśo yaḥ pratibhāti māyayā kṣībeva madhv-āsava-tāmra-locanaḥ na nāga-vadhvo ’rhaṇa īśire hriyā yat-pādayoḥ sparśana-dharṣitendriyāḥ
For persons with impure vision, the Supreme Lord’s eyes appear like those of someone who indiscriminately drinks intoxicating beverages. Thus bewildered, such unintelligent persons become angry at the Supreme Lord, and due to their angry mood the Lord Himself appears angry and very fearful. However, this is an illusion. When the wives of the serpent demon were agitated by the touch of the Lord’s lotus feet, due to shyness they could proceed no further in their worship of Him. Yet the Lord remained unagitated by their touch, for He is equipoised in all circumstances. Therefore who will not worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
Anyone who remains unagitated, even in the presence of cause for agitation, is called dhīra, or equipoised. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being always in a transcendental position, is never agitated by anything. Therefore someone who wants to become dhīra must take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. In Bhagavad-gītā (2.13) Kṛṣṇa says, dhīras tatra na muhyati: a person who is equipoised in all circumstances is never bewildered. Prahlāda Mahārāja is a perfect example of a dhīra. When the fierce form of Nṛsiṁhadeva appeared in order to kill Hiraṇyakaśipu, Prahlāda was unagitated. He remained calm and quiet, whereas others, including even Lord Brahmā, were frightened by the features of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse says that by His own māyā the Lord can appear in ways that seem unlike His transcendental nature—such as looking red-eyed like one intoxicated—yet He remains the Supreme, and His presence still powerfully transforms those who come in contact with Him.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while describing features of Jambūdvīpa and the Lord’s extraordinary influence, illustrating how even a mere touch of His lotus feet can overpower worldly senses.
Do not judge spiritual reality by external appearances; instead, seek genuine contact with the Lord through devotion (hearing, chanting, remembrance), because even a small connection to Him purifies and redirects the senses.