Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 32
Kapila Describes Bhakti-Saturated Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga and Meditation on the Lord’s Form
हासं हरेरवनताखिललोकतीव्र- शोकाश्रुसागरविशोषणमत्युदारम् । सम्मोहनाय रचितं निजमाययास्य भ्रूमण्डलं मुनिकृते मकरध्वजस्य ॥ ३२ ॥
hāsaṁ harer avanatākhila-loka-tīvra- śokāśru-sāgara-viśoṣaṇam atyudāram sammohanāya racitaṁ nija-māyayāsya bhrū-maṇḍalaṁ muni-kṛte makara-dhvajasya
A yogī should similarly meditate on the most benevolent smile of Lord Śrī Hari, a smile which, for all those who bow to Him, dries away the ocean of tears caused by intense grief. The yogī should also meditate on the Lord’s arched eyebrows, which are manifested by His internal potency in order to charm the sex-god for the good of the sages.
The entire universe is full of miseries, and therefore the inhabitants of this material universe are always shedding tears out of intense grief. There is a great ocean of water made from such tears, but for one who surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ocean of tears is at once dried up. One need only see the charming smile of the Supreme Lord. In other words, the bereavement of material existence immediately subsides when one sees the charming smile of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse says Hari’s smile is so magnanimous that it can dry up the ocean of tears arising from intense grief, especially for those who bow to Him in surrender.
Kapila is guiding devotional meditation: the Lord’s brow and smile are described as spiritually captivating, arranged by His own potency to draw the devotee’s mind steadily to Him.
When overwhelmed by grief, practice remembrance and meditation on the compassionate form of the Lord—His smile and presence—as a bhakti-based method to calm the heart and renew faith.