Shloka 26
Kapila Describes Bhakti-Saturated Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga and Meditation on the Lord’s Form
वक्षोऽधिवासमृषभस्य महाविभूते: पुंसां मनोनयननिर्वृतिमादधानम् । कण्ठं च कौस्तुभमणेरधिभूषणार्थं कुर्यान्मनस्यखिललोकनमस्कृतस्य ॥ २६ ॥
vakṣo ’dhivāsam ṛṣabhasya mahā-vibhūteḥ puṁsāṁ mano-nayana-nirvṛtim ādadhānam kaṇṭhaṁ ca kaustubha-maṇer adhibhūṣaṇārthaṁ kuryān manasy akhila-loka-namaskṛtasya
Le yogī doit méditer sur la poitrine du Seigneur Suprême, demeure de la grande Mahā-Lakṣmī, qui apporte au mental une joie transcendante et aux yeux une pleine satisfaction. Puis il doit imprimer dans son cœur le cou du Seigneur, adoré par l’univers entier; ce cou rehausse, tel un ornement, la beauté du joyau Kaustubha suspendu sur Sa poitrine.
In the Upaniṣads it is said that the various energies of the Lord are working to create, destroy and maintain. These inconceivable varieties of energy are stored in the bosom of the Lord. As people generally say, God is all-powerful. That prowess is represented by Mahā-Lakṣmī, the reservoir of all energies, who is situated on the bosom of the transcendental form of the Lord. The yogī who can meditate perfectly on that spot on the transcendental form of the Lord can derive many material powers, which comprise the eight perfections of the yoga system.
FAQs
This verse teaches focusing the mind on specific divine features—especially the Lord’s chest (Śrīvatsa) and neck adorned with the Kaustubha jewel—because such contemplation grants deep satisfaction to the mind and eyes and strengthens devotion.
In Kapila’s step-by-step dhyāna instruction, concentrating on the Lord’s auspicious bodily features steadies the mind and awakens bhakti; the chest and Kaustubha are highlighted as supremely beautiful and universally worshiped symbols of His majesty.
Use a focused, feature-by-feature visualization of the Lord (with reverence), reducing mental distraction; even a few minutes daily can cultivate calm, devotion, and a more worshipful mindset in everyday duties.