Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 6
The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa
काशिष्णुना कनकवर्णविभूषणेन भ्राजत्कपोलवदनो विलसत्किरीट: । अष्टायुधैरनुचरैर्मुनिभि: सुरेन्द्रै- रासेवितो गरुडकिन्नरगीतकीर्ति: ॥ ६ ॥
kāśiṣṇunā kanaka-varṇa-vibhūṣaṇena bhrājat-kapola-vadano vilasat-kirīṭaḥ aṣṭāyudhair anucarair munibhiḥ surendrair āsevito garuḍa-kinnara-gīta-kīrtiḥ
主的面容极其庄严美妙，金色饰物与光耀的宝冠使其熠熠生辉。祂具八臂，各持不同神兵；诸天、伟大仙人及因陀罗等环绕左右，悉皆奉事。迦楼罗振翼诵唱吠陀赞歌，颂扬主之名闻，宛如金那罗界的住民。
Generally the Viṣṇu form is manifested with four hands holding four objects — a conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower. However, here Lord Viṣṇu is described as possessing eight arms with eight kinds of weapons. According to Vīrarāghava Ācārya, the conchshell and lotus flower are also accepted as weapons. Since the Lord is the supreme controller, whatever is in His hand can be considered a weapon. Four hands hold four kinds of weapons, and the extra four hands hold an arrow, bow, trident and snake. Śrī Vīrarāghava Ācārya describes the eight weapons as śaṅkha, cakra, gadā, padma, śārṅga, śara, etc.
FAQs
This verse describes the Lord’s radiant, ornamented form—golden brilliance, shining face, and resplendent crown—emphasizing that His transcendental beauty naturally inspires worship by sages and the celestials.
In the narrative of the Pracetās, the Lord appears as the supreme object of devotion; even exalted beings like great sages and heavenly rulers honor Him, showing His supremacy beyond all ranks of the cosmos.
Like Garuḍa and the Kinnaras singing His fame, one can cultivate bhakti through kīrtana—regularly chanting, hearing, and remembering the Lord’s qualities to steady the mind and deepen devotion.