Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 12

Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions

Catuḥ-śloki

Devanagari script

प्रवालवैदूर्यमृणालवर्चस: । परिस्फुरत्कुण्डलमौलिमालिन: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

pravāla-vaidūrya-mṛṇāla-varcasaḥ parisphurat-kuṇḍala-mauli-mālinaḥ

Translation

केचित् प्रवालवैदूर्यमृणालवर्चसः स्फुरत्कुण्डलाः, मौलिमालिनः पद्मविकाससदृशा बभूवुः।

Synonyms

• pravāla-vaidūrya-mṛṇāla-varcasaḥ: having a luster like coral, cat’s-eye gem, and lotus-fiber
• pravāla-vaidūrya-mṛṇāla-varcasaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pravāla + vaidūrya + mṛṇāla + varcas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana (Singular); बहुव्रीह्यर्थे गुणवाचक-विशेषणम् (adjectival epithet)

• parisphurat: shining all around; flashing
• parisphurat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari + sphur (धातु) → parisphurat (कृदन्त, शतृ/वर्तमानकृदन्त)
• Form: Vartamāna-kṛdanta (Present active participle), Parasmaipada sense; Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; विशेषणम्

• kuṇḍala-mauli-mālinaḥ: garlanded on earrings and crown
• kuṇḍala-mauli-mālinaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kuṇḍala + mauli + mālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; (kuṇḍala-mauli)-mālin = तृतीयातत्पुरुष/षष्ठीतत्पुरुषार्थे ‘having garlands on (his) earrings and crown’; विशेषणम्

Purport

There are some inhabitants who have attained the liberation of sārūpya, or possessing bodily features like those of the Personality of Godhead. The vaidūrya diamond is especially meant for the Personality of Godhead, but one who achieves the liberation of bodily equality with the Lord is especially favored with such diamonds on his body.

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Lord’s divine beauty in Canto 2?

This verse describes the Lord’s effulgent complexion and His resplendent ornaments—earrings, crown, and garlands—inviting devotional meditation on His personal form.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe the Lord’s ornaments to Mahārāja Parīkṣit?

To help Parīkṣit fix his mind on Bhagavān through vivid remembrance of the Lord’s form—an essential practice of bhakti, especially at life’s end.

Practical application of meditating on the Lord’s form in modern life?

Use the verse as a visualization aid in japa or prayer—contemplate the Lord’s effulgence and adornments to steady the mind and deepen devotion.