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Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 45

Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction

प्रसादाभिमुखं शश्वत्प्रसन्नवदनेक्षणम् । सुनासं सुभ्रुवं चारुकपोलं सुरसुन्दरम् ॥ ४५ ॥

prasādābhimukhaṁ śaśvat prasanna-vadanekṣaṇam sunāsaṁ subhruvaṁ cāru- kapolaṁ sura-sundaram

Le visage du Seigneur est à jamais tourné vers la grâce, toujours serein et réjouissant; pour les dévots, Il ne paraît jamais contrarié et se tient prêt à accorder des bénédictions. Ses yeux, ses sourcils ornés, son nez relevé et son large front sont d’une beauté surpassant celle des demi-dieux.

प्रसाद-अभिमुखम्facing graciously / with favor
प्रसाद-अभिमुखम्:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootप्रसाद + अभिमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (गुरुम्/पुरुषम् implied); तत्पुरुषः (प्रसादस्य अभिमुखम्)
शश्वत्always
शश्वत्:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootशश्वत् (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय; नित्यत्वे क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: always)
प्रसन्न-वदन-ईक्षणम्with a serene face and gaze
प्रसन्न-वदन-ईक्षणम्:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootप्रसन्न + वदन + ईक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुषः (प्रसन्ने वदने ईक्षणं यस्य/यत्)
सु-नासम्having a beautiful nose
सु-नासम्:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootसु + नास (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारयः (सुन्दरः नासः यस्य/यत्)
सु-भ्रुवम्with beautiful eyebrows
सु-भ्रुवम्:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootसु + भ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारयः (सुन्दराः भ्रुवौ यस्य/यत्)
चारु-कपोलम्with lovely cheeks
चारु-कपोलम्:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootचारु + कपोल (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारयः (चारवः कपोलाः यस्य/यत्)
सुर-सुन्दरम्more beautiful than the gods / godlike beautiful
सुर-सुन्दरम्:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootसुर + सुन्दर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुषः (सुरेषु सुन्दरम्/सुरैः सुन्दरम्)

This verse clearly explains how one has to meditate on the form of the Lord. Impersonal meditation is a bogus invention of modern days. In none of the Vedic literatures is impersonal meditation recommended. In Bhagavad-gītā, when meditation is recommended, the word mat-paraḥ, which means “pertaining to Me,” is used. Any Viṣṇu form pertains to Lord Kṛṣṇa because Lord Kṛṣṇa is the original Viṣṇu form. Sometimes someone tries to meditate upon the impersonal Brahman, which is described in Bhagavad-gītā as avyakta, meaning “unmanifested” or “impersonal.” But it is remarked by the Lord Himself that those who are attached to this impersonal feature of the Lord suffer a very troublesome task because no one can concentrate on the impersonal feature. One has to concentrate on the form of the Lord, which is described here in connection with Dhruva Mahārāja’s meditation. As will be apparent from later descriptions, Dhruva Mahārāja perfected this kind of meditation, and his yoga was successful.

D
Dhruva
V
Viṣṇu (Bhagavān)

FAQs

This verse describes the Lord as eternally serene and “inclined to bestow mercy,” with a captivating divine form—teaching that Bhagavān’s beauty is inseparable from His compassion toward devotees.

In the Dhruva narrative of Canto 4, the Lord reveals Himself to Dhruva as the fruit of his focused devotion and austerity, granting direct darśana to the sincere seeker.

Meditating on the Lord’s calm, merciful presence helps steady the mind, reduce reactivity, and strengthen devotional intention during daily stress and decision-making.