Shloka 17
The Lord’s Advent: Yoga-māyā’s Mission, Saṅkarṣaṇa’s Transfer, and the Demigods’ Prayers
स बिभ्रत् पौरुषं धाम भ्राजमानो यथा रवि: । दुरासदोऽतिदुर्धर्षो भूतानां सम्बभूव ह ॥ १७ ॥
sa bibhrat pauruṣaṁ dhāma bhrājamāno yathā raviḥ durāsado ’tidurdharṣo bhūtānāṁ sambabhūva ha
Bearing within the core of his heart the form of Bhagavān, Vasudeva carried the Lord’s transcendently radiant effulgence and shone like the sun. Thus he became difficult to perceive or approach by the senses—unassailable even for Kaṁsa, indeed for all living beings.
The word dhāma is significant. Dhāma refers to the place where the Supreme Personality of Godhead resides. In the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.1.1) it is said, dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi. In the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no influence of material energy ( dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakam ). Any place where the Supreme Personality of Godhead is present by His name, form, qualities or paraphernalia immediately becomes a dhāma. For example, we speak of Vṛndāvana-dhāma, Dvārakā-dhāma and Mathurā-dhāma because in these places the name, fame, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Godhead are always present. Similarly, if one is empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to do something, the core of his heart becomes a dhāma, and thus he becomes so extraordinarily powerful that not only his enemies but also people in general are astonished to observe his activities. Because he is unapproachable, his enemies are simply struck with wonder, as explained here by the words durāsado ’tidurdharsaḥ.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord manifests His personal, supreme splendor and shines like the sun, making Him awe-inspiring and beyond the power of ordinary beings to approach or conquer.
Because His divine, personal potency and brilliance reveal His transcendence—He is not accessible by material strength or arrogance, but is approached through devotion and surrender.
Cultivate humility and bhakti: instead of trying to control everything by force, remember the Supreme is unconquerable, and seek inner strength through prayer, devotion, and righteous living.