Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 48

Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)

Devanagari script

प्रीतिप्रहसितापाङ्गमलकै रूपशोभितम् । लसत्पङ्कजकिञ्जल्कदुकूलं मृष्टकुण्डलम् ॥ ४७ ॥ स्फुरत्किरीटवलयहारनूपुरमेखलम् । शङ्खचक्रगदापद्ममालामण्युत्तमर्द्धिमत् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

prīti-prahasitāpāṅgam alakai rūpa-śobhitam lasat-paṅkaja-kiñjalka- dukūlaṁ mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalam

Translation

主以慈爱开颜的微笑与赐恩的侧目注视信徒，显现无比殊胜之美。祂黑发卷曲，随风飘扬的黄衣宛如莲华花粉飞舞。闪耀的耳环、宝冠、臂钏、项链、花鬘、脚铃、腰带，以及螺贝、法轮、金刚杵与莲花等圣器与诸宝饰，共同增辉祂胸前考斯图婆宝珠的天然光彩。

Synonyms

• prīti-prahasita-apāṅgam: having side-glances smiling with affection
• prīti-prahasita-apāṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prīti (प्रातिपदिक) + prahasita (कृदन्त, √has) + apāṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (प्रीत्या प्रहसितः अपाङ्गः यस्य तत्)

• alakaiḥ: with curls/locks of hair
• alakaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: alaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• rūpa-śobhitam: adorned by beauty/form
• rūpa-śobhitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + śobhita (कृदन्त, √śubh/√śobh)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (रूपेण शोभितम्)

• lasat-paṅkaja-kiñjalka-dukūlam: wearing a shining silk garment like lotus-filaments
• lasat-paṅkaja-kiñjalka-dukūlam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lasat (कृदन्त, √las) + paṅkaja (प्रातिपदिक) + kiñjalka (प्रातिपदिक) + dukūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (लसत् पङ्कजकिञ्जल्कवत् दुकूलम्)

• mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalam: with polished earrings
• mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛṣṭa (कृदन्त, √mṛj) + kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; कर्मधारयः (मृष्टं कुण्डलं यस्य)

• sphurat-kirīṭa-valaya-hāra-nūpura-mekhalam: with shining crown, bracelets, necklace, anklets, and girdle
• sphurat-kirīṭa-valaya-hāra-nūpura-mekhalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sphurat (कृदन्त, √sphur) + kirīṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + valaya (प्रातिपदिक) + hāra (प्रातिपदिक) + nūpura (प्रातिपदिक) + mekhalā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (किरīṭ-वलय-हार-नूपुर-मेखलाः) विशेषणत्वेन; sphurat = shining

• śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma-mālā-maṇi-uttama-ṛddhi-mat: possessing supreme splendor with conch, discus, mace, lotus, garland, and jewels
• śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma-mālā-maṇi-uttama-ṛddhi-mat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक) + gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + padma (प्रातिपदिक) + mālā (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇi (प्रातिपदिक) + uttama (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛddhi-mat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; बहुव्रीहिः—(शङ्खचक्रगदापद्ममालामणिभिः उत्तम-ऋद्धिमान्)

Purport

The word prahasitāpāṅga, referring to Kṛṣṇa’s smile and sidelong glances at His devotees, specifically applies to His dealings with the gopīs. Kṛṣṇa is always in a joking mood when He increases the feelings of conjugal rasa in the hearts of the gopīs. The conchshell, club, disc and lotus flower can be either held in His hands or seen on the palms of His hands. According to palmistry, the signs of a conchshell, club, lotus flower and disc mark the palms of great personalities and especially indicate the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Characters & Entities

• Lord Viṣṇu (Supreme Personality of Godhead)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the symbols of Lord Viṣṇu (śaṅkha, cakra, gadā, padma)?

This verse highlights Viṣṇu’s divine emblems—conch, discus, club, and lotus—as identifying marks of the Supreme Lord’s protective and supremely opulent form, suitable for meditation and devotion.

Why is Lord Viṣṇu described with so many ornaments in Bhagavatam 4.24?

In this chapter’s context of devotion and prayer, the radiant ornaments and weapons emphasize Viṣṇu’s transcendental majesty (aiśvarya) and make His personal form vivid for the devotee’s contemplation.

How can a modern devotee apply this verse in daily spiritual practice?

Use the verse as a meditation prompt: remember Viṣṇu’s personal form with His emblems and splendor, strengthening bhakti through focused remembrance (smaraṇa) and reverence.