Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 28
Pradyumna’s Abduction, Mahā-māyā, and the Slaying of Śambara
तं दृष्ट्वा जलदश्यामं पीतकौशेयवाससम् । प्रलम्बबाहुं ताम्राक्षं सुस्मितं रुचिराननम् ॥ २७ ॥ स्वलङ्कृतमुखाम्भोजं नीलवक्रालकालिभि: । कृष्णं मत्वा स्त्रियो ह्रीता निलिल्युस्तत्र तत्र ह ॥ २८ ॥
taṁ dṛṣṭvā jalada-śyāmaṁ pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam pralamba-bāhuṁ tāmrākṣaṁ su-smitaṁ rucirānanam
When they saw Him—dark-blue like a rain cloud, wearing yellow silk, long-armed, with red-tinged eyes and a lotuslike face lit by a gentle smile, adorned with fine ornaments and thick, curly blue hair—the women thought Him to be Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and in bashfulness hid themselves here and there.
FAQs
This verse highlights the classic features associated with Kṛṣṇa—rain-cloud complexion, yellow silk, long arms, lotus-like reddish eyes, a gentle smile, and dark curling hair—showing why His form naturally awakens devotion and awe.
Because his appearance closely resembled Kṛṣṇa’s divine beauty and ornaments; seeing those familiar marks, they assumed he was Kṛṣṇa and, feeling shy and reverential, hid themselves.
Use the verse as a meditation: contemplate the described features of the Lord’s form while chanting, so the mind becomes absorbed in divine remembrance rather than worldly distraction.