Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 7

Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama and Vidura’s Turn Toward Maitreya

Devanagari script

श्यामावदातं विरजं प्रशान्तारुणलोचनम् । दोर्भिश्चतुर्भिर्विदितं पीतकौशाम्बरेण च ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

śyāmāvadātaṁ virajaṁ praśāntāruṇa-locanam dorbhiś caturbhir viditaṁ pīta-kauśāmbareṇa ca

Translation

The Lord’s body is blackish, but is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge, and very, very beautiful. His eyes are always peaceful, and they are reddish like the rising morning sun. I could immediately recognize Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead by His four hands, different symbolic representations, and yellow silk garments.

Synonyms

• श्यामावदातम्: dark-and-fair (complexioned)
• श्यामावदातम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्याम + अवदात (प्रातिपदिक); श्यामावदात (समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (dark and fair)

• विरजम्: spotless/pure
• विरजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + रजस् (प्रातिपदिक) → विरज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘free from rajas/impurity’

• प्रशान्तारुणलोचनम्: with calm, reddish eyes
• प्रशान्तारुणलोचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रशान्त + अरुण + लोचन (प्रातिपदिक); प्रशान्तारुणलोचन (समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (having calm reddish eyes)

• दोर्भिः: with arms
• दोर्भिः: Karana (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोर्/दोस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• चतुर्भिः: with four
• चतुर्भिः: Karana (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक-प्रयोग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषण (numeral adjective) qualifying ‘दोर्भिः’

• विदितम्: recognized
• विदितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद् (धातु) → विदित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle used adjectivally), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘known/recognized’

• पीतकौशाम्बरेण: with a yellow silk garment
• पीतकौशाम्बरेण: Karana (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पीत + कौशाम्बर (प्रातिपदिक); पीतकौशाम्बर (समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (yellow silk garment)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Characters & Entities

• Vidura
• Lord Viṣṇu (Bhagavān)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the form of Lord Vishnu?

This verse describes Bhagavān as dark yet radiant, completely spotless, with peaceful reddish eyes, clearly recognized by His four arms and yellow garments.

Why is Lord Vishnu described as 'viraja' (spotless) in the Bhagavatam?

The verse emphasizes that the Lord is untouched by material qualities and impurities; His form is transcendental and free from worldly contamination.

Practical application of meditating on the Lord’s form in modern life?

Contemplating the Lord’s serene, pure form cultivates inner calm, steadiness of mind, and devotion, helping one rise above anxiety and distraction.