Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 16

Varṣa-devatā Worship in Jambūdvīpa: Hayagrīva/Hayaśīrṣa, Nṛsiṁha, Kāmadeva (Pradyumna), Matsya, Kūrma, and Varāha

Devanagari script

अतीव सुललितगतिविलासविलसितरुचिरहासलेशावलोकलीलया किञ्चिदुत्तम्भितसुन्दरभ्रूमण्डलसुभगवदनारविन्दश्रिया रमां रमयन्निन्द्रियाणि रमयते ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

atīva sulalita-gati-vilāsa-vilasita-rucira-hāsa-leśāvaloka-līlayā kiñcid-uttambhita-sundara-bhrū-maṇḍala-subhaga-vadanāravinda-śriyā ramāṁ ramayann indriyāṇi ramayate.

Translation

In Ketumāla-varṣa bewegt sich der Herr Kāmadeva (Pradyumna) von überaus anmutiger Gangart. Sein sanftes Lächeln ist bezaubernd, und wenn Er die Brauen leicht hebt und einen spielerischen Blick wirft, vermehrt Er den Glanz Seines lotosgleichen Antlitzes und erfreut Lakṣmījī. So genießt Er Seine transzendentalen Sinne.

Synonyms

• अतीव: exceedingly
• अतीव: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतीव (अव्यय)
• Form: परिमाण/तीव्रता-वाचक क्रियाविशेषण (intensifying adverb)

• सुललित-गति-विलास-विलसित-रुचिर-हास-लेश-अवलोक-लीलया: by the playful act of a very graceful gait, charming movements, a lovely smile, and a slight glance
• सुललित-गति-विलास-विलसित-रुचिर-हास-लेश-अवलोक-लीलया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु+ललित+गति+विलास+विलसित+रुचिर+हास+लेश+अवलोक+लीला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-प्रधान (लीलया—by the play consisting of ...); साधन/हेतु-भावे

• किञ्चित्: slightly
• किञ्चित्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किञ्चित् (अव्यय)
• Form: परिमाणवाचक अव्यय (adverb: a little)

• उत्तम्भित-सुन्दर-भ्रू-मण्डल-सुभग-वदन-अरविन्द-श्रिया: by the splendor of his lotus-face, made charming by slightly raised beautiful eyebrows
• उत्तम्भित-सुन्दर-भ्रू-मण्डल-सुभग-वदन-अरविन्द-श्रिया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तम्भित (कृदन्त, √स्तम्भ्)+सुन्दर+भ्रू+मण्डल+सुभग+वदन+अरविन्द+श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (श्रिया—by the beauty/splendor characterized by ...); ‘उत्तम्भित’ = slightly raised

• रमाम्: Ramā (Lakṣmī)
• रमाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• रमयन्: delighting
• रमयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √रम् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान कृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तरि—‘(सः) रमयन्’

• इन्द्रियाणि: the senses
• इन्द्रियाणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• रमयते: delights (them)
• रमयते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √रम् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (causative sense in usage: makes rejoice/delights)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Ramā (Lakṣmī)
• Bhagavān (Viṣṇu)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Lord Vishnu’s beauty and its effect on the mind?

This verse says that the Lord’s graceful movements, slight smile, and sidelong glance—along with the splendor of His lotus face—delight Lakṣmī and captivate the senses, drawing the mind naturally toward Him.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Lakṣmī being delighted by the Lord?

Śukadeva highlights the intimate, devotional truth that the Supreme Lord is not impersonal—His personal beauty and loving play delight even Śrī Lakṣmī, illustrating His supreme attractiveness and the sweetness of bhakti.

How can I apply this verse in daily spiritual practice?

Use it for form-meditation (dhyāna): contemplate the Lord’s gentle smile, glance, and lotus face to redirect the senses from distraction toward remembrance, reverence, and devotion.