Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 23

Mārkaṇḍeya’s Request to See Māyā and the Vision of the Cosmic Deluge

Devanagari script

महामरकतश्यामं श्रीमद्वदनपङ्कजम् । कम्बुग्रीवं महोरस्कं सुनसं सुन्दरभ्रुवम् ॥ २२ ॥ श्वासैजदलकाभातं कम्बुश्रीकर्णदाडिमम् । विद्रुमाधरभासेषच्छोणायितसुधास्मितम् ॥ २३ ॥ पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गं हृद्यहासावलोकनम् । श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम् ॥ २४ ॥ चार्वङ्गुलिभ्यां पाणिभ्यामुन्नीय चरणाम्बुजम् । मुखे निधाय विप्रेन्द्रो धयन्तं वीक्ष्य विस्मित: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

mahā-marakata-śyāmaṁ śrīmad-vadana-paṅkajam kambu-grīvaṁ mahoraskaṁ su-nasaṁ sundara-bhruvam

Translation

The infant was dark blue like flawless emerald; His lotus face shone with splendor, and His throat bore conchlike lines. Broad-chested, with a fine nose and lovely brows, He had ears like pomegranate blossoms with inner folds like a conch’s spirals. The corners of His eyes were reddish like a lotus heart, and the coral glow of His lips gently tinted His nectarean smile. With each breath His hair trembled, and the folds of His banyan-leaf-like belly moved around His deep navel. The exalted brāhmaṇa, amazed, saw Him lift His lotus foot with graceful fingers, place a toe in His mouth, and suck.

Synonyms

• श्वासैजदलकाभातम्: shining with curls quivering from breath
• श्वासैजदलकाभातम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वास + एजत् + अलका + भात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘श्वासेन एजद् अलकाः येन तत् भातम्’ (shining with curls trembling by breath)

• कम्बुश्रीकर्णदाडिमम्: with conch-like splendor and pomegranate-like ears
• कम्बुश्रीकर्णदाडिमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु + श्री + कर्ण + दाडिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-बहुपदः—‘कम्बुश्रीः (शङ्ख-शोभा) कर्णयोः दाडिमवत्’ (ears like pomegranate buds, conch-like beauty)

• विद्रुमाधरभासेषच्छोणायितसुधास्मितम्: with a nectar-like smile slightly reddened by coral-lip radiance
• विद्रुमाधरभासेषच्छोणायितसुधास्मितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्रुम + अधर + भासा + ईषत् + शोणायित + सुधा + स्मित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘विद्रुमाधरस्य भासा ईषत् शोणायितं सुधावत् स्मितं यस्य’ (nectar-like smile slightly reddened by the luster of coral lips)

Purport

The young child was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Lord Kṛṣṇa wondered, “So many devotees are hankering for the nectar of My lotus feet. Therefore let Me personally experience that nectar.” Thus the Lord, playing like an ordinary baby, began to suck on His toes.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Viprendra (the brāhmaṇa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about meditating on Krishna’s form?

This verse presents vivid features—His curls, ornaments, coral lips, and nectar-like smile—showing that loving remembrance (smaraṇa) of Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental beauty is a powerful, devotional way to fix the mind on Bhagavān.

Why is Krishna’s smile described as ‘nectar’ in the Bhagavatam?

Because His smile is not ordinary charm; it is spiritually nourishing and bliss-giving—like nectar—awakening devotion and dissolving fear and sorrow in the heart of the beholder.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Use these details as a guided meditation during japa or prayer—visualizing Kṛṣṇa’s gentle smile and serene beauty—to steady the mind and replace anxiety with devotional focus.