Shloka 24

Mārkaṇḍeya’s Request to See Māyā and the Vision of the Cosmic Deluge

Devanagari script

महामरकतश्यामं श्रीमद्वदनपङ्कजम् । कम्बुग्रीवं महोरस्कं सुनसं सुन्दरभ्रुवम् ॥ २२ ॥ श्वासैजदलकाभातं कम्बुश्रीकर्णदाडिमम् । विद्रुमाधरभासेषच्छोणायितसुधास्मितम् ॥ २३ ॥ पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गं हृद्यहासावलोकनम् । श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम् ॥ २४ ॥ चार्वङ्गुलिभ्यां पाणिभ्यामुन्नीय चरणाम्बुजम् । मुखे निधाय विप्रेन्द्रो धयन्तं वीक्ष्य विस्मित: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

mahā-marakata-śyāmaṁ śrīmad-vadana-paṅkajam kambu-grīvaṁ mahoraskaṁ su-nasaṁ sundara-bhruvam

Translation

その乳児は、汚れなき翡翠のように深い青を帯び、蓮華のごとき御顔は美の光に満ち、喉には法螺貝の筋のような印があった。胸は広く、鼻は整い、眉は麗しい。耳は柘榴の花のようで、内には貝の渦のような襞がある。目尻は蓮の芯のように紅く、珊瑚のような唇の輝きが甘露の微笑をほのかに染める。息づくたび髪は揺れ、深い臍の周りで、バニヤンの葉のような腹の皺が動いた。尊きバラモンは驚嘆した—幼子が優美な指で自らの蓮の足を持ち上げ、足指を口に含んで吸っていたのである。

Synonyms

• पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गम्: with lotus-core-reddish side-glances
• पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म + गर्भ + अरुण + अपाङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘पद्मगर्भवत् अरुणः अपाङ्गः’ (side-glances reddish like the inside of a lotus)

• हृद्यहासावलोकनम्: whose glance is accompanied by a heart-stealing smile
• हृद्यहासावलोकनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृद्य + हास + अवलोकन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘हृद्यः हासः यस्य अवलोकनम्’ (a look with charming smile)

• श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम्: with a deep navel and belly-folds stirred by breathing
• श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वास + एजत् + वलि + संविग्न + निम्न + नाभि + दल + उदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘श्वासेन एजद्भिः वलिभिः संविग्नं निम्नं नाभिदलं यस्य उदरम्’ (belly with a deep navel-lotus, its folds moving with breath)

Purport

The young child was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Lord Kṛṣṇa wondered, “So many devotees are hankering for the nectar of My lotus feet. Therefore let Me personally experience that nectar.” Thus the Lord, playing like an ordinary baby, began to suck on His toes.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about meditating on Krishna’s form (rūpa-dhyāna)?

This verse models rūpa-dhyāna by describing Kṛṣṇa’s lotus-like reddish sidelong glance, heart-stealing smile, and deep navel—showing how contemplation of His divine features awakens devotion.

Why is Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi amazed when seeing this form of Kṛṣṇa?

In this episode, Mārkaṇḍeya beholds the Supreme Lord appearing as an infant; the Lord’s enchanting glance, smile, and even the subtle movement of His breathing reveal a transcendental beauty that overwhelms the sage with wonder.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Use it as a guided meditation: slowly visualize Kṛṣṇa’s compassionate glance and gentle smile, and let the mind rest there—replacing anxiety with remembrance (smaraṇa) and steadiness in bhakti.