Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.18.2
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Supreme Lord’s Beautiful Personal Form
“The body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, blackish in complexion, was free from all inebrieties. His lotus face, decorated with earrings resembling sharks, appeared very beautiful, and on His bosom was the mark of Śrīvatsa. He wore bangles on His wrists, armlets on His arms, a helmet on His head, a belt on His waist, a sacred thread across His chest, and ankle bells decorating His lotus feet.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead had a blackish body, free from all defects.
- His beautiful lotus face was decorated with earrings resembling sharks. The mark of Śrīvatsa adorned His bosom.
- He wore bangles, armlets, a helmet, a belt and a sacred thread. Ankle bells decorated His lotus feet.
Try this today
Read the description slowly, then recall three features of the Lord’s form.
Ask yourself
Which detail of the Lord’s beautiful form helps me give Him my attention?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.