Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 27

Parīkṣit’s Vow on the Gaṅgā and the Advent of Śukadeva Gosvāmī

Devanagari script

निगूढजत्रुं पृथुतुङ्गवक्षस- मावर्तनाभिं वलिवल्गूदरं च । दिगम्बरं वक्त्रविकीर्णकेशं प्रलम्बबाहुं स्वमरोत्तमाभम् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

nigūḍha-jatruṁ pṛthu-tuṅga-vakṣasam āvarta-nābhiṁ vali-valgūdaraṁ ca dig-ambaraṁ vaktra-vikīrṇa-keśaṁ pralamba-bāhuṁ svamarottamābham

Translation

他的锁骨丰润，胸膛宽厚而高隆，脐深如渊，腹部有优美的褶纹。他为“持虚空衣”（digambara），赤身而立；卷曲的发丝散落在俊美的面庞上。双臂修长，身色光辉映现出至上主室利·奎师那的神采。

Synonyms

• nigūḍha-jatrum: having a well-hidden collarbone/neck-joint
• nigūḍha-jatrum: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-gūḍha (प्रातिपदिक) + jatru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (yasya jatru nigūḍham); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• pṛthu-tuṅga-vakṣasam: having a broad and prominent chest
• pṛthu-tuṅga-vakṣasam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pṛthu (प्रातिपदिक) + tuṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + vakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (yasya vakṣaḥ pṛthu-tuṅgam); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• āvarta-nābhim: having a whirl-like navel
• āvarta-nābhim: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āvarta (प्रातिपदिक) + nābhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (yasya nābhiḥ āvartaḥ/āvartavatī); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• vali-valgu-udaram: having a charming belly with folds
• vali-valgu-udaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vali (प्रातिपदिक) + valgu (प्रातिपदिक) + udara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (yasya udaraṃ vali-valgu); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• dig-ambaram: sky-clad / naked
• dig-ambaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dik (प्रातिपदिक) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (dig eva ambaraṃ yasya / dig-ambaraḥ); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• vaktra-vikīrṇa-keśam: whose hair was scattered over the face
• vaktra-vikīrṇa-keśam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaktra (प्रातिपदिक) + vikīrṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + keśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (yasya keśāḥ vaktre vikīrṇāḥ); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• pralamba-bāhum: having long arms
• pralamba-bāhum: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pralamba (प्रातिपदिक) + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (yasya bāhū pralambau); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• svamara-uttama-ābham: having a splendor surpassing even the best of the gods
• svamara-uttama-ābham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svamara (प्रातिपदिक) + uttama (प्रातिपदik) + ābha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (yasya ābhā svamara-uttamā); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

Purport

His bodily features indicate him to be different from common men. All the signs described in connection with the bodily features of Śukadeva Gosvāmī are uncommon symptoms, typical of great personalities, according to physiognomical calculations. His bodily hue resembled that of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is the supreme among the gods, demigods and all living beings.

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the appearance and qualities of Śukadeva Gosvāmī?

This verse describes Śukadeva as a transcendental renunciant—naked, with long arms, a strikingly auspicious form, and a radiance surpassing even the foremost celestial beings—indicating his extraordinary spiritual stature.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī described as digambara (sky-clad) in Canto 1?

His nakedness signifies complete detachment from social identity and bodily designations, highlighting the Bhagavatam’s theme that the highest spiritual realization naturally brings freedom from material conventions.

How can devotees apply the lesson of this verse in modern life?

By cultivating sincere detachment and focusing on hearing and serving Bhagavatam-kathā from authentic, realized devotees—valuing inner realization over external status or appearance.