Shloka 50

Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)

Devanagari script

पूररेचकसंविग्नवलिवल्गुदलोदरम् । प्रतिसङ्‌क्रामयद्विश्वं नाभ्यावर्तगभीरया ॥ ५० ॥

Transliteration

pūra-recaka-saṁvigna- vali-valgu-dalodaram pratisaṅkrāmayad viśvaṁ nābhyāvarta-gabhīrayā

Translation

The Lord’s abdomen is adorned with three graceful ripples of flesh. Rounded like a banyan leaf, it becomes all the more charming as those ripples move with His inhaling and exhaling. The whirl within His navel is so deep that it seems the entire universe has sprouted from it—and yet longs to return there again.

Synonyms

• pūra-recaka-saṁvigna-vali-valgu-dala-udaram: whose belly had charming folds moving with inhalation and exhalation
• pūra-recaka-saṁvigna-vali-valgu-dala-udaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūra (प्रातिपदिक) + recaka (प्रातिपदिक) + saṁvigna (कृदन्त, √vij with sam-) + vali (प्रातिपदिक) + valgu (प्रातिपदिक) + dala (प्रातिपदिक) + udara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; बहुव्रीहिः—(पूररेचकयोः संविग्नाः वलयः, वल्गूनि दलानि इव, उदरं यस्य)

• pratisaṅkrāmayat: made (it) pass/transfer, caused to move
• pratisaṅkrāmayat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kram (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; causative (णिच्) of √kram with prati-saṁ-

• viśvam: the universe
• viśvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• nābhi-āvarta-gabhīrayā: by (his) deep navel-whorl
• nābhi-āvarta-gabhīrayā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nābhi (प्रातिपदिक) + āvarta (प्रातिपदिक) + gabhīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (नाभ्यावर्ते गभीरा)

Purport

The whole universe is born out of the lotus stem which sprouted from the navel of the Lord. Lord Brahmā sat on the top of this lotus stem to create the whole universe. The navel of the Lord is so deep and coiling that it appears that the whole universe again wants to withdraw into the navel, being attracted by the Lord’s beauty. The Lord’s navel and the ripples on His belly always increase the beauty of His bodily features. The details of the bodily features of the Lord especially indicate the Personality of Godhead. Impersonalists cannot appreciate the beautiful body of the Lord, which is described in these prayers by Lord Śiva. Although the impersonalists are always engaged in the worship of Lord Śiva, they are unable to understand the prayers offered by Lord Śiva to the bodily features of Lord Viṣṇu. Lord Viṣṇu is known as śiva-viriñci-nutam ( Bhāg. 11.5.33 ), for He is always worshiped by Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva.

Characters & Entities

• Lord Śiva
• Lord Viṣṇu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the universe coming from Lord Viṣṇu?

This verse depicts the Lord’s navel-whirl and bodily breathing as symbolic of His supreme control over cosmic manifestation—He can draw the universe into Himself and project it again.

Why is Lord Viṣṇu’s navel (nābhyāvarta) described as deep and universe-moving?

In Bhāgavata cosmology, the navel is associated with creation (the lotus source). Its “deep whirl” poetically conveys the Lord’s inconceivable power by which the cosmos is sustained, withdrawn, and manifested.

Practical application of this verse in modern life—how can a devotee use it in meditation?

Meditate on the Lord as the ultimate shelter behind all change: while breath and life move, remember that everything rests in Him, cultivating steadiness, devotion, and surrender.