Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 24

Mārkaṇḍeya’s Request to See Māyā and the Vision of the Cosmic Deluge

Devanagari script

महामरकतश्यामं श्रीमद्वदनपङ्कजम् । कम्बुग्रीवं महोरस्कं सुनसं सुन्दरभ्रुवम् ॥ २२ ॥ श्वासैजदलकाभातं कम्बुश्रीकर्णदाडिमम् । विद्रुमाधरभासेषच्छोणायितसुधास्मितम् ॥ २३ ॥ पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गं हृद्यहासावलोकनम् । श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम् ॥ २४ ॥ चार्वङ्गुलिभ्यां पाणिभ्यामुन्नीय चरणाम्बुजम् । मुखे निधाय विप्रेन्द्रो धयन्तं वीक्ष्य विस्मित: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

mahā-marakata-śyāmaṁ śrīmad-vadana-paṅkajam kambu-grīvaṁ mahoraskaṁ su-nasaṁ sundara-bhruvam

Translation

Der Säugling war dunkelblau wie ein makelloser Smaragd; sein lotusgleiches Antlitz strahlte in reicher Schönheit, und an seiner Kehle zeichneten sich Spuren wie die Linien einer Muschel ab. Er hatte eine breite Brust, eine wohlgeformte Nase, schöne Brauen; Ohren wie Granatapfelblüten, mit inneren Falten wie die Windungen einer Conch. Die Augenwinkel röteten sich wie das Innere des Lotus, und der Glanz seiner korallenroten Lippen färbte sein nektargleiches, bezauberndes Lächeln zart. Mit jedem Atemzug bebte sein Haar, und die Hautfalten seines Bauches—wie ein Banyanblatt—bewegten sich um den tiefen Nabel. Der erhabene Brāhmaṇa staunte, als er sah, wie das Kind mit anmutigen Fingern seinen lotusgleichen Fuß hob, eine Zehe in den Mund legte und daran sog.

Synonyms

• पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गम्: with lotus-core-reddish side-glances
• पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म + गर्भ + अरुण + अपाङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘पद्मगर्भवत् अरुणः अपाङ्गः’ (side-glances reddish like the inside of a lotus)

• हृद्यहासावलोकनम्: whose glance is accompanied by a heart-stealing smile
• हृद्यहासावलोकनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृद्य + हास + अवलोकन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘हृद्यः हासः यस्य अवलोकनम्’ (a look with charming smile)

• श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम्: with a deep navel and belly-folds stirred by breathing
• श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वास + एजत् + वलि + संविग्न + निम्न + नाभि + दल + उदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘श्वासेन एजद्भिः वलिभिः संविग्नं निम्नं नाभिदलं यस्य उदरम्’ (belly with a deep navel-lotus, its folds moving with breath)

Purport

The young child was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Lord Kṛṣṇa wondered, “So many devotees are hankering for the nectar of My lotus feet. Therefore let Me personally experience that nectar.” Thus the Lord, playing like an ordinary baby, began to suck on His toes.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about meditating on Krishna’s form (rūpa-dhyāna)?

This verse models rūpa-dhyāna by describing Kṛṣṇa’s lotus-like reddish sidelong glance, heart-stealing smile, and deep navel—showing how contemplation of His divine features awakens devotion.

Why is Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi amazed when seeing this form of Kṛṣṇa?

In this episode, Mārkaṇḍeya beholds the Supreme Lord appearing as an infant; the Lord’s enchanting glance, smile, and even the subtle movement of His breathing reveal a transcendental beauty that overwhelms the sage with wonder.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Use it as a guided meditation: slowly visualize Kṛṣṇa’s compassionate glance and gentle smile, and let the mind rest there—replacing anxiety with remembrance (smaraṇa) and steadiness in bhakti.