Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.19.28
श्यामं सदापीव्यवयोऽङ्गलक्ष्म्या
स्त्रीणां मनोज्ञं रुचिरस्मितेन ।
प्रत्युत्थितास्ते मुनय: स्वासनेभ्य-
स्तल्लक्षणज्ञा अपि गूढवर्चसम् ॥ २८ ॥
śyāmaṁ sadāpīvya-vayo-’ṅga-lakṣmyā
[shyaamam sadaapeevya-vayo-’nga-lakshmyaa]
strīṇāṁ mano-jñaṁ rucira-smitena
[streenaam mano-jnam ruchira-smitena]
pratyutthitās te munayaḥ svāsanebhyas
[pratyutthitaas te munayah svaasanebhyas]
tal-lakṣaṇa-jñā api gūḍha-varcasam
[tal-lakshana-jnaa api goodha-varchasam]
Word-for-word
śyāmam
—
blackish
sadā
—
always
apīvya
—
excessively
vayaḥ
—
age
aṅga
—
symptoms
lakṣmyā
—
by the opulence of
strīṇām
—
of the fair sex
manaḥ-jñam
—
attractive
rucira
—
beautiful
smitena
—
smiling
pratyutthitāḥ
—
stood up
te
—
all of them
munayaḥ
—
the great sages
sva
—
own
āsanebhyaḥ
—
from the seats
tat
—
those
lakṣaṇa-jñāḥ
—
expert in the art of physiognomy
api
—
even
gūḍha-varcasam
—
covered glories.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śyāmaṁ sadāpīvya-vayo-’ṅga-lakṣmyā
śyāmam
blackish
sadā
always
apīvya
excessively
vayaḥ
age
strīṇāṁ mano-jñaṁ rucira-smitena
aṅga
symptoms
pratyutthitās te munayaḥ svāsanebhyas
tal-lakṣaṇa-jñā api gūḍha-varcasam
lakṣmyā
by the opulence of
strīṇām
of the fair sex
manaḥ-jñam
attractive
rucira
beautiful
smitena
smiling
pratyutthitāḥ
stood up
te
all of them
munayaḥ
the great sages
sva
own
āsanebhyaḥ
from the seats
tat
those
lakṣaṇa-jñāḥ
expert in the art of physiognomy
api
even
gūḍha-varcasam
covered glories.
He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth. Because of the glamor of his body and his attractive smiles, he was pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, the great sages present there were all expert in the art of physiognomy, and so they honored him by rising from their seats.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
He was dark in complexion, attractive to women with his pleasant smile, his bodily features and his attractive youthfulness. Though his splendor was covered, the sages, knowing the symptoms of a great person, rose from their seats to welcome him.
Commentary
He was attractive to women because of his natural smile, the beauty of his limbs, and his ideal age, which was fixed (sadā) at new youth (sixteen years). Seeing him, even though his splendor was covered, the sages recognized him.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Blackish and beautiful with youth, attractive smile, pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, sages present were expert in studying symptoms. Greatness shows even when modestly covered.
Reflection Questions
- Where am I overlooking covered greatness?
- What 'symptoms' would help me recognize the real teacher?
My note
Source: vedabase.io