Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 31
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Request to See Māyā and the Vision of the Cosmic Deluge
तस्मिन् पृथिव्या: ककुदि प्ररूढं वटं च तत्पर्णपुटे शयानम् । तोकं च तत्प्रेमसुधास्मितेन निरीक्षितोऽपाङ्गनिरीक्षणेन ॥ ३१ ॥ अथ तं बालकं वीक्ष्य नेत्राभ्यां धिष्ठितं हृदि । अभ्ययादतिसङ्क्लिष्ट: परिष्वक्तुमधोक्षजम् ॥ ३२ ॥
tasmin pṛthivyāḥ kakudi prarūḍhaṁ vaṭaṁ ca tat-parṇa-puṭe śayānam tokaṁ ca tat-prema-sudhā-smitena nirīkṣito ’pāṅga-nirīkṣaṇena
In that vast sea he again saw the banyan tree upon the tiny island and the Infant lying within the fold of its leaf. The Child glanced at him from the corner of His eyes, smiling with the nectar of love, and Mārkaṇḍeya drew Him into his heart through his gaze. Trembling with agitation, the sage ran forward to embrace the transcendent Lord, Adhokṣaja.
FAQs
The child is the Supreme Lord (often identified as Bāla-Nārāyaṇa), revealing Himself to Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi in a wondrous vision.
It signifies the Lord’s affectionate, grace-filled acknowledgment of His devotee—His glance carries divine mercy, and His smile expresses loving intimacy.
By cultivating steady remembrance and devotion, trusting that the Lord reciprocates—even a single moment of sincere turning toward Him invites His merciful “glance” in the form of guidance and inner assurance.