Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 20
Viṣṇupadī Gaṅgā: Descent, Cosmic Pathways, and Śiva’s Praise of Saṅkarṣaṇa
असद्दृशो य: प्रतिभाति मायया क्षीबेव मध्वासवताम्रलोचन: । न नागवध्वोऽर्हण ईशिरे ह्रियायत्पादयो: स्पर्शनधर्षितेन्द्रिया: ॥ २० ॥
asad-dṛśo yaḥ pratibhāti māyayā kṣībeva madhv-āsava-tāmra-locanaḥ na nāga-vadhvo ’rhaṇa īśire hriyā yat-pādayoḥ sparśana-dharṣitendriyāḥ
对目光不净者而言，因幻力（摩耶）之故，主的双眼似醉饮者般泛红；迷妄之人遂对主嗔怒，而因其嗔怒，主也仿佛显得愤然可怖——然皆幻相。蛇魔之妻因触及主的莲花足而心神激荡，羞怯之下无法继续礼拜；但主并未因其触碰而动摇，因为祂于一切境中恒常平等安住。如此至上人格，谁能不敬拜？
Anyone who remains unagitated, even in the presence of cause for agitation, is called dhīra, or equipoised. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being always in a transcendental position, is never agitated by anything. Therefore someone who wants to become dhīra must take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. In Bhagavad-gītā (2.13) Kṛṣṇa says, dhīras tatra na muhyati: a person who is equipoised in all circumstances is never bewildered. Prahlāda Mahārāja is a perfect example of a dhīra. When the fierce form of Nṛsiṁhadeva appeared in order to kill Hiraṇyakaśipu, Prahlāda was unagitated. He remained calm and quiet, whereas others, including even Lord Brahmā, were frightened by the features of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse says that by His own māyā the Lord can appear in ways that seem unlike His transcendental nature—such as looking red-eyed like one intoxicated—yet He remains the Supreme, and His presence still powerfully transforms those who come in contact with Him.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while describing features of Jambūdvīpa and the Lord’s extraordinary influence, illustrating how even a mere touch of His lotus feet can overpower worldly senses.
Do not judge spiritual reality by external appearances; instead, seek genuine contact with the Lord through devotion (hearing, chanting, remembrance), because even a small connection to Him purifies and redirects the senses.