Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 32

Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps

Devanagari script

सुनन्दमुख्या उपतस्थुरीशं पार्षदमुख्या: सहलोकपाला: । स्फुरत्किरीटाङ्गदमीनकुण्डल: श्रीवत्सरत्नोत्तममेखलाम्बरै: ॥ ३२ ॥ मधुव्रतस्रग्वनमालयावृतो रराज राजन्भगवानुरुक्रम: । क्षितिं पदैकेन बलेर्विचक्रमे नभ: शरीरेण दिशश्च बाहुभि: ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

sunanda-mukhyā upatasthur īśaṁ pārṣada-mukhyāḥ saha-loka-pālāḥ sphurat-kirīṭāṅgada-mīna-kuṇḍalaḥ śrīvatsa-ratnottama-mekhalāmbaraiḥ

Translation

Die Gefährten, angeführt von Sunanda, traten zusammen mit den Lokapālas vor den Herrn und brachten Ihm Lobpreis dar. Der Herr strahlte mit einem glänzenden Helm, Armreifen und funkelnden Ohrringen, die wie Fische schimmerten; auf Seiner Brust leuchteten das Śrīvatsa-Zeichen und das Kaustubha-Juwel. Er trug das gelbe pītāmbara, von einem Gürtel gehalten, und war mit einer Blumengirlande geschmückt, die von Bienen umschwirrt wurde; so erglänzte Bhagavān Urukrama in Herrlichkeit.

Synonyms

• sunanda-mukhyāḥ: (attendants) headed by Sunanda
• sunanda-mukhyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sunanda (प्रातिपदिक) + mukhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; tatpuruṣa: 'with Sunanda as chief'

• upatasthuḥ: attended
• upatasthuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-sthā (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; 'they attended/stood near'

• īśam: the Lord
• īśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• pārṣada-mukhyāḥ: chief attendants
• pārṣada-mukhyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārṣada (प्रातिपदिक) + mukhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; 'chief among the attendants'

• saha-loka-pālāḥ: together with the world-guardians
• saha-loka-pālāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saha (अव्यय) + loka-pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; avyayībhāva: saha-lokapālāḥ = 'together with the Lokapālas'

• sphurat-kirīṭāṅgada-mīna-kuṇḍalaḥ: with flashing crown, armlets, and fish-shaped earrings
• sphurat-kirīṭāṅgada-mīna-kuṇḍalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sphurat (कृदन्त, √sphur) + kirīṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅgada (प्रातिपदिक) + mīna-kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; present participle 'sphurat' qualifying a dvandva of ornaments: kirīṭa+aṅgada+mīna-kuṇḍala; overall adjective of īśaḥ (implied)

• śrīvatsa-ratnottama-mekhalā-ambaraiḥ: with Śrīvatsa, best jewels, girdle and garments
• śrīvatsa-ratnottama-mekhalā-ambaraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrīvatsa (प्रातिपदिक) + ratna-uttama (प्रातिपदिक) + mekhalā (प्रातिपदिक) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter/Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; dvandva-like list compound used instrumentally: 'with Śrīvatsa, excellent jewels, girdle, and garments'

Purport

One might argue, “Since Bali Mahārāja promised Vāmanadeva only the land occupied by His steps, why did Lord Vāmanadeva occupy the sky also?” In this regard, Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī says that the steps include everything, downward and upward. When one stands up, he certainly occupies certain parts of the sky and certain portions of the earth below his feet. Thus there was nothing uncommon for the Supreme Personality of Godhead when He occupied the entire sky with His body.

Characters & Entities

• Sunanda
• Bhagavān (Vāmana/Viṣṇu)
• Lokapālas (guardians of the worlds)
• Pārṣadas (Lord’s attendants)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the divine form and ornaments of Lord Viṣṇu?

This verse portrays the Lord’s transcendental beauty—His crown, armlets, fish-shaped earrings, the Śrīvatsa mark, jeweled belt, and garments—showing that His form is eternal, conscious, and supremely auspicious for meditation and devotion.

Why are Sunanda and the Lord’s attendants mentioned in this Bhagavatam verse?

Śukadeva highlights that the Supreme Lord is served by His intimate associates (pārṣadas) and honored by cosmic administrators (lokapālas), emphasizing His supreme position and the devotional culture of reverent service around Him.

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

Contemplating the Lord’s qualities and form steadies the mind, redirects attention from anxiety to devotion, and helps cultivate humility and gratitude—key supports for daily sādhana.