Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 28
Parīkṣit’s Vow on the Gaṅgā and the Advent of Śukadeva Gosvāmī
श्यामं सदापीव्यवयोऽङ्गलक्ष्म्या स्त्रीणां मनोज्ञं रुचिरस्मितेन । प्रत्युत्थितास्ते मुनय: स्वासनेभ्य- स्तल्लक्षणज्ञा अपि गूढवर्चसम् ॥ २८ ॥
śyāmaṁ sadāpīvya-vayo-’ṅga-lakṣmyā strīṇāṁ mano-jñaṁ rucira-smitena pratyutthitās te munayaḥ svāsanebhyas tal-lakṣaṇa-jñā api gūḍha-varcasam
Era de tez śyāma, siempre en la plenitud de la juventud y resplandeciente por la belleza de sus miembros. Con su sonrisa encantadora agradaba incluso a las mujeres. Aunque ocultaba su gloria natural, los grandes sabios, expertos en leer los signos del cuerpo, se levantaron de sus asientos para honrarlo.
FAQs
This verse shows that even expert sages can find a truly liberated soul’s inner splendor “hidden” (gūḍha-varcasam); spiritual greatness may not be fully measurable by external marks alone.
They rose to honor him instinctively, sensing his extraordinary spiritual stature, even though his effulgence was outwardly concealed.
It teaches humility and reverence: do not judge seekers by externals; honor genuine saintly association and look for depth of realization and character rather than display.