Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 5
The Glories of Lord Ananta (Śeṣa/Saṅkarṣaṇa) and the Cosmic Foundation Beneath Pātāla
यस्यैव हि नागराजकुमार्य आशिष आशासानाश्चार्वङ्गवलयविलसितविशद विपुलधवलसुभगरुचिरभुजरजतस्तम्भेष्वगुरुचन्दनकुङ्कुमपङ्कानुलेपेनावलिम्पमानास्तदभिमर्शनोन्मथितहृदयमकरध्वजावेशरुचिरललितस्मितास्तदनुरागमदमुदितमद् विघूर्णितारुणकरुणावलोकनयनवदनारविन्दं सव्रीडं किल विलोकयन्ति ॥ ५ ॥
yasyaiva hi nāga-rāja-kumārya āśiṣa āśāsānāś cārv-aṅga-valaya-vilasita-viśada-vipula-dhavala-subhaga-rucira-bhuja-rajata-stambheṣv aguru-candana-kuṅkuma-paṅkānulepenāvalimpamānās tad-abhimarśanonmathita-hṛdaya-makara-dhvajāveśa-rucira-lalita-smitās tad-anurāgamada-mudita-mada-vighūrṇitāruṇa-karuṇāvaloka-nayana-vadanāravindaṁ savrīḍaṁ kila vilokayanti.
Les princesses des rois serpents, espérant une bénédiction propice, enduisent de pâte d’aguru, de santal et de kuṅkuma les longs bras du Seigneur—ornés de bracelets, blancs et splendides comme des colonnes d’argent. Le contact de Ses membres éveille en leur cœur l’élan de Makaradhvaja (Kāma), et un sourire gracieux éclôt sur leurs lèvres. Connaissant leurs pensées, le Seigneur les regarde avec un sourire de miséricorde ; Ses yeux rougeoyants se meuvent légèrement, comme enivrés par la joie de l’amour dévotionnel. Alors, pleines de pudeur, elles contemplent Son visage de lotus.
When males and females touch each other’s bodies, their lusty desires naturally awaken. It appears from this verse that there are similar sensations in spiritual bodies. Both Lord Ananta and the women giving Him pleasure had spiritual bodies. Thus all sensations originally exist in the spiritual body. This is confirmed in the Vedānta-sūtra: janmādy asya yataḥ. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has commented in this connection that the word ādi means ādi-rasa, the original lusty feeling, which is born from the Supreme. However, spiritual lust and material lust are as completely different as gold and iron. Only one who is very highly elevated in spiritual realization can understand the lusty feelings exchanged between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, or between Kṛṣṇa and the damsels of Vraja. Therefore, unless one is very experienced and advanced in spiritual realization, he is forbidden to discuss the lusty feelings of Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs. However, if one is a sincere and pure devotee, the material lust in his heart is completely vanquished as he discusses the lusty feelings between the gopīs and Kṛṣṇa, and he makes quick progress in spiritual life.
FAQs
It portrays Lord Ananta’s extraordinary divine beauty and majesty, describing how Nāga princesses, seeking his blessings, lovingly anoint his arms and shyly behold his lotus face with compassionate, reddish glances.
As an act of reverence and affectionate service while seeking his āśiṣ (blessings); the anointing expresses devotion and highlights Ananta’s transcendental form.
Approach the Divine with humility and sincere longing for blessings, and cultivate loving service (seva) that is respectful and pure—letting devotion, not ego, become the heart’s “anointment.”