Shloka 5
The Appearance of Lord Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) and the Divine Exchange with Yoga-māyā
श्रीशुक उवाच अथ सर्वगुणोपेत: काल: परमशोभन: । यर्ह्येवाजनजन्मक्षन शान्तर्क्षग्रहतारकम् ॥ १ ॥ दिश: प्रसेदुर्गगनं निर्मलोडुगणोदयम् । मही मङ्गलभूयिष्ठपुरग्रामव्रजाकरा ॥ २ ॥ नद्य: प्रसन्नसलिला ह्रदा जलरुहश्रिय: । द्विजालिकुलसन्नादस्तवका वनराजय: ॥ ३ ॥ ववौ वायु: सुखस्पर्श: पुण्यगन्धवह: शुचि: । अग्नयश्च द्विजातीनां शान्तास्तत्र समिन्धत ॥ ४ ॥ मनांस्यासन् प्रसन्नानि साधूनामसुरद्रुहाम् । जायमानेऽजने तस्मिन् नेदुर्दुन्दुभय: समम् ॥ ५ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca atha sarva-guṇopetaḥ kālaḥ parama-śobhanaḥ yarhy evājana-janmarkṣaṁ śāntarkṣa-graha-tārakam
Thus, as the birthless Lord Viṣṇu—the Supreme Self—was about to appear, the saints and brāhmaṇas, long harassed by demons like Kaṁsa, felt deep peace within their hearts. At that very moment, celestial kettledrums resounded in unison from the higher worlds.
As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, the Lord says that His appearance, birth, and activities are all transcendental and that one who factually understands them is immediately eligible to be transferred to the spiritual world. The Lord’s appearance or birth is not like that of an ordinary man, who is forced to accept a material body according to his past deeds. The Lord’s appearance is explained in the previous chapter: He appears out of His own sweet pleasure.
FAQs
It describes a supremely favorable moment: the sky becomes clear, planets and stars turn peaceful, rivers and forests become pleasing, fragrant breezes blow, sacrificial fires burn steadily, saintly hearts rejoice, and celestial drums resound as the Lord appears.
To show that Bhagavān’s descent is not ordinary birth—His appearance harmonizes the cosmos, making time, directions, and the natural world auspicious, reflecting the Lord’s divine presence.
Cultivate a “Krishna-appearance” atmosphere within: purity, steadiness, and joy through sādhana—hearing, chanting, and living cleanly—so the mind becomes calm and receptive to divine remembrance.