Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 48

Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction

Devanagari script

किरीटिनं कुण्डलिनं केयूरवलयान्वितम् । कौस्तुभाभरणग्रीवं पीतकौशेयवाससम् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

kirīṭinaṁ kuṇḍalinaṁ keyūra-valayānvitam kaustubhābharaṇa-grīvaṁ pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam

Translation

Der ganze Körper der Höchsten Persönlichkeit Gottes, Vāsudeva, ist geschmückt. Er trägt einen kostbaren, mit Edelsteinen besetzten Helm, Ohrringe, Halsketten, Armreifen und Armbänder; Sein Hals ist mit dem Kaustubha-Juwel geziert, und Er ist in gelbe Seide gekleidet.

Synonyms

• किरीटिनम्: wearing a crown
• किरीटिनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: किरीटिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (पुरुषम्)

• कुण्डलिनम्: wearing earrings
• कुण्डलिनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुण्डलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• केयूर-वलय-अन्वितम्: adorned with armlets and bracelets
• केयूर-वलय-अन्वितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केयूर + वलय + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुषः (केयूरैः वलयैः च अन्वितम्)

• कौस्तुभ-अभरण-ग्रीवम्: whose neck bears the Kaustubha jewel ornament
• कौस्तुभ-अभरण-ग्रीवम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौस्तुभ + अभरण + ग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुषः (कौस्तुभाभरणेन ग्रीवा यस्य/यत्)

• पीत-कौशेय-वाससम्: wearing yellow silk garments
• पीत-कौशेय-वाससम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत + कौशेय + वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारयः (पीतं कौशेयं वासः यस्य)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Viṣṇu (Bhagavān)
• Dhruva Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the appearance of Lord Vishnu in Dhruva’s meditation?

This verse describes Viṣṇu as royally adorned—crowned, wearing earrings, armlets and bracelets, with the Kaustubha jewel on His neck and dressed in yellow silk—emphasizing the Lord’s divine splendor revealed to His devotee.

Why is the Kaustubha jewel mentioned in descriptions of Vishnu in the Bhagavatam?

The Kaustubha is a distinctive ornament of the Supreme Lord, marking His unique, transcendental identity; its mention helps the listener recognize that Dhruva’s vision is of Bhagavān Himself, not an ordinary celestial being.

How can a modern devotee apply the message of this shloka in daily life?

Contemplate the personal form of the Lord with devotion—through japa, prayer, and scriptural remembrance—so the mind becomes steady and reverent, turning spirituality from abstraction into a loving relationship with Bhagavān.