Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 13

Kapila Describes Bhakti-Saturated Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga and Meditation on the Lord’s Form

Devanagari script

प्रसन्नवदनाम्भोजं पद्मगर्भारुणेक्षणम् । नीलोत्पलदलश्यामं शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम् ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

prasanna-vadanāmbhojaṁ padma-garbhāruṇekṣaṇam nīlotpala-dala-śyāmaṁ śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-dharam

Translation

بھگوان کا چہرہ خوش و خرم کنول کی مانند ہے، آنکھیں کنول کے اندر کی طرح سرخی مائل؛ بدن نیلے کنول کی پنکھڑیوں سا ش्याम، اور وہ شंख، چکر اور گدا دھارن کرتے ہیں۔

Synonyms

• प्रसन्न-वदन-अम्भोजम्: with a serene lotus-like face
• प्रसन्न-वदन-अम्भोजम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of meditation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + वदन (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्भोज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-कर्मधारय (वदनम् एव अम्भोजम्; प्रसन्नं च तत्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणं (ध्येयस्य)

• पद्म-गर्भ-अरुण-ईक्षणम्: with eyes reddish like the inside of a lotus
• पद्म-गर्भ-अरुण-ईक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of meditation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + अरुण (प्रातिपदिक) + ईक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-प्रधान (पद्मगर्भवत् अरुणे ईक्षणे यस्य); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणं (ध्येयस्य)

• नील-उत्पल-दल-श्यामम्: dark like the petal of a blue lotus
• नील-उत्पल-दल-श्यामम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of meditation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्पल (प्रातिपदिक) + दल (प्रातिपदिक) + श्याम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-प्रधान; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणं (ध्येयस्य)

• शङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-धरम्: bearing conch, discus, and mace
• शङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-धरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of meditation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + गदा (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (√धृ धातु, अच्/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (उपपद-समास); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘bearing conch, discus, and mace’

Purport

It is definitely recommended herein that one concentrate his mind upon the form of Viṣṇu. There are twelve different forms of Viṣṇu, which are described in Teachings of Lord Caitanya. One cannot concentrate his mind on anything void or impersonal; the mind should be fixed on the personal form of the Lord, whose attitude is cheerful, as described in this verse. Bhagavad-gītā states that meditation on the impersonal or void features is very troublesome to the meditator. Those who are attached to the impersonal or void features of meditation have to undergo a difficult process because we are not accustomed to concentrating our minds upon anything impersonal. Actually such concentration is not even possible. Bhagavad-gītā also confirms that one should concentrate his mind on the Personality of Godhead.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila-deva
• Devahūti
• Bhagavān (Viṣṇu)

FAQs

What form of the Lord should one meditate on in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 28?

This verse recommends meditating on Bhagavān’s serene lotus-faced form—dark like a blue-lotus petal—with lotus-reddish eyes, holding conch, discus, and mace.

Why does Kapila describe the Lord’s lotus face and lotus-like eyes to Devahuti?

Kapila is teaching practical dhyāna in bhakti-yoga: the devotee fixes the mind on specific, auspicious features of the Lord to steady concentration and awaken devotion.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam meditation teaching in modern life?

During daily japa or quiet prayer, visualize the Lord’s calm, lotus-faced form with His divine weapons, and gently bring the mind back to that image whenever it wanders.