Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

काञ्चीगुणोल्लसच्छ्रोणिं हृदयाम्भोजविष्टरम् । दर्शनीयतमं शान्तं मनोनयनवर्धनम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

kāñcī-guṇollasac-chroṇiṁ hṛdayāmbhoja-viṣṭaram darśanīyatamaṁ śāntaṁ mano-nayana-vardhanam

Translation

祂以腰带映耀其腰胯，安住于奉献者心莲之上。祂最为可观，神情宁静；其形容令观者眼目与心灵皆得欢喜增长。

Synonyms

• kāñcī: girdle
• kāñcī: Upapada (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāñcī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, stem in compound

• guṇa: string/cord
• guṇa: Upapada (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, stem in compound

• ullasat: shining
• ullasat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ud-√las (लस् धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ) → ullasat (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमानकाले कर्तरि शतृ), stem in compound qualifying śroṇi

• śroṇim: hips/waist
• śroṇim: Karma (कर्म) / Viśeṣaṇa of devaṁ (implied)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śroṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (Accusative), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: kāñcī-guṇa-ullasat-śroṇi (girdle-cord-shining hips) as a descriptive compound

• hṛdaya: heart
• hṛdaya: Upapada (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛdaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, stem in compound

• ambhoja: lotus
• ambhoja: Upapada (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambhoja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, stem in compound

• viṣṭaram: the seat/throne (of the heart-lotus)
• viṣṭaram: Karma (कर्म) / Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṭara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: hṛdaya-ambhoja-viṣṭara = hṛdayāmbhojasya viṣṭaraḥ (seat/throne of the heart-lotus)

• darśanīyatamam: most delightful to behold
• darśanīyatamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: darśanīya (प्रातिपदिक; √dṛś धातु + anīya)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; superlative (तमप् प्रत्यय)

• śāntam: peaceful
• śāntam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta (प्रातिपदिक; √śam धातु + kta)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; kta-participle used adjectivally

• mano: mind
• mano: Upapada (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, stem in compound (mano- as samāsa form)

• nayana: eyes
• nayana: Upapada (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, stem in compound

• vardhanam: enhancing mind and eyes
• vardhanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vardhana (प्रातिपदिक; √vṛdh धातु + lyuṭ)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: mano-nayana-vardhana = manasaḥ nayanayoś ca vardhanam (that which increases/pleases mind and eyes)

Purport

The word darśanīyatamam, which is used in this verse, means that the Lord is so beautiful that the devotee- yogī does not wish to see anything else. His desire to see beautiful objects is completely satisfied by the sight of the Lord. In the material world we want to see beauty, but the desire is never satisfied. Because of material contamination, all the propensities we feel in the material world are ever unsatisfied. But when our desires to see, hear, touch, etc., are dovetailed for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they are on the level of the topmost perfection.

Characters & Entities

• Lord Viṣṇu (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about meditating on Lord Vishnu’s form in Canto 3?

This verse presents the Lord’s serene, supremely beautiful form as the proper object of meditation—His divine features naturally uplift the mind and eyes, helping the devotee steady devotion.

Why does Shukadeva Goswami describe the Lord’s ornaments and beauty in this chapter?

In Canto 3, Chapter 28, the purpose is dhyāna (devotional meditation): describing the Lord’s form and ornaments gives the practitioner a clear, sacred focus for contemplation and loving remembrance.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Set aside a short daily time to visualize or gaze upon a deity image of Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa, gently bringing the mind back to His peaceful form; this calms the heart and strengthens bhakti.