Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 36
Soma Pacifies the Pracetās; Dakṣa’s Haṁsa-guhya Prayers; Hari Grants Creative Power
श्रीशुक उवाच इति स्तुत: संस्तुवत: स तस्मिन्नघमर्षणे । प्रादुरासीत्कुरुश्रेष्ठ भगवान् भक्तवत्सल: ॥ ३५ ॥ कृतपाद: सुपर्णांसे प्रलम्बाष्टमहाभुज: । चक्रशङ्खासिचर्मेषुधनु:पाशगदाधर: ॥ ३६ ॥ पीतवासा घनश्याम: प्रसन्नवदनेक्षण: । वनमालानिवीताङ्गो लसच्छ्रीवत्सकौस्तुभ: ॥ ३७ ॥ महाकिरीटकटक: स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डल: । काञ्च्यङ्गुलीयवलयनूपुराङ्गदभूषित: ॥ ३८ ॥ त्रैलोक्यमोहनं रूपं बिभ्रत् त्रिभुवनेश्वर: । वृतो नारदनन्दाद्यै: पार्षदै: सुरयूथपै: । स्तूयमानोऽनुगायद्भि: सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणै: ॥ ३९ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca iti stutaḥ saṁstuvataḥ sa tasminn aghamarṣaṇe prādurāsīt kuru-śreṣṭha bhagavān bhakta-vatsalaḥ
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who is extremely affectionate to His devotees, was very pleased by the prayers offered by Dakṣa, and thus He appeared at that holy place known as Aghamarṣaṇa. O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, best of the Kuru dynasty, the Lord’s lotus feet rested on the shoulders of His carrier, Garuḍa, and He appeared with eight long, mighty, very beautiful arms. In His hands He held a disc, conchshell, sword, shield, arrow, bow, rope and club — in each hand a different weapon, all brilliantly shining. His garments were yellow and His bodily hue deep bluish. His eyes and face were very cheerful, and from His neck to His feet hung a long garland of flowers. His chest was decorated with the Kaustubha jewel and the mark of Śrīvatsa. On His head was a gorgeous round helmet, and His ears were decorated with earrings resembling sharks. All these ornaments were uncommonly beautiful. The Lord wore a golden belt on His waist, bracelets on His arms, rings on His fingers, and ankle bells on His feet. Thus decorated by various ornaments, Lord Hari, who is attractive to all the living entities of the three worlds, is known as Puruṣottama, the best personality. He was accompanied by great devotees like Nārada, Nanda and all the principal demigods, led by the heavenly king, Indra, and the residents of various upper planetary systems such as Siddhaloka, Gandharvaloka and Cāraṇaloka. Situated on both sides of the Lord and behind Him as well, these devotees offered Him prayers continuously.
FAQs
This passage states that when devotees offer sincere praise, the Supreme Lord—known as bhakta-vatsala—personally manifests, showing His readiness to reciprocate with devotion.
The detailed description highlights the Lord’s supreme majesty and protective power—His weapons symbolize divine protection and sovereignty, while His ornaments and serenity reveal His beauty and graciousness to devotees.
Cultivate steady prayer and remembrance: sincere glorification of the Divine (rather than mere ritual) strengthens faith, brings inner calm, and inspires a life aligned with protection, virtue, and devotion.