Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.30.28-32
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Reveals His All-Auspicious Form
“The Lord was exhibiting His brilliantly effulgent four-armed form, the radiance of which, just like a smokeless fire, dissipated the darkness in all directions. His complexion was the color of a dark blue cloud and His effulgence the color of molten gold, and His all-auspicious form bore the mark of Śrīvatsa. A beautiful smile graced His lotus face, locks of dark blue hair adorned His head, His lotus eyes were very attractive, and His shark-shaped earrings glittered. He wore a pair of silken garments, an ornamental belt, the sacred thread, bracelets and arm ornaments, along with a helmet, the Kaustubha jewel, necklaces, anklets and other royal emblems. Encircling His body were flower garlands and His personal weapons in their embodied forms. As He sat He held His left foot, with its lotus-red sole, upon His right thigh.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord displayed His brilliantly effulgent four-armed form, dispelling darkness like a smokeless fire. His complexion was dark blue like a cloud, His effulgence resembled molten gold, and His form bore the mark of Śrīvatsa.
- His lotus face bore a beautiful smile, and His lotus eyes were very attractive. Dark blue hair, glittering shark-shaped earrings, silken garments, the Kaustubha jewel and royal ornaments adorned Him.
- Flower garlands and His personal weapons in their embodied forms encircled His body. He rested His left foot, with its lotus-red sole, upon His right thigh.
Try this today
Choose one detail from this description and spend a minute remembering it as a small act of devotional service.
Ask yourself
Which detail of the Lord’s all-auspicious form helps me remember Him with devotion?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.