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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 12.11.10

कौस्तुभव्यपदेशेन स्वात्मज्योतिर्बिभर्त्यज: । तत्प्रभा व्यापिनी साक्षात् श्रीवत्समुरसा विभु: ॥ १० ॥
kaustubha-vyapadeśena
[kaustubha-vyapadeshena]
svātma-jyotir bibharty ajaḥ
[svaatma-jyotir bibharty ajah]
tat-prabhā vyāpinī sākṣāt
[tat-prabhaa vyaapinee saakshaat]
śrīvatsam urasā vibhuḥ
[shreevatsam urasaa vibhuh]
kaustubha-vyapadeśena — represented by the Kaustubha gem sva-ātma — of the pure jīva soul jyotiḥ — the spiritual light bibharti — carries ajaḥ — the unborn Lord tat-prabhā — the effulgence of this (Kaustubha) vyāpinī — expansive sākṣāt — directly śrīvatsam — of the Śrīvatsa mark urasā — upon His chest vibhuḥ — the almighty.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
kaustubha-vyapadeśena
kaustubha-vyapadeśena
represented by the Kaustubha gem
svātma-jyotir bibharty ajaḥ
sva-ātma
of the pure jīva soul
jyotiḥ
the spiritual light
bibharti
carries
ajaḥ
the unborn Lord
tat-prabhā vyāpinī sākṣāt
tat-prabhā
the effulgence of this (Kaustubha)
vyāpinī
expansive
sākṣāt
directly
śrīvatsam urasā vibhuḥ
śrīvatsam
of the Śrīvatsa mark
urasā
upon His chest
vibhuḥ
the almighty.
Upon His chest the almighty, unborn Personality of Godhead bears the Kaustubha gem, which represents the pure spirit soul, along with the Śrīvatsa mark, which is the direct manifestation of this gem’s expansive effulgence.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Upon his chest the almighty, unborn Lord bears the pure jīva in the form of the vibhūti known as the Kaustubha gem along with the Śrīvatsa mark, which is the direct manifestation of this gem's expansive effulgence. Having spoken of the limbs, now the ornaments are described. The Lord supports the pure jīva (svātma-jyotiḥ) in the form (vyapadeśena) of the Kaustubha. The Kaustubha represents the Lord’s vibhūti known as the pure jīva. It is said: a-kāreṇocyate visṇuḥ śṛir u-kāreṇa kathyate ma-kāreṇas tu tayor dāsaḥ pañca-viṁśaḥ prakīrtitaḥ The letter a is Visṇu, u is Lakṣmī, and m is their servant (jīva) is glorified as the twenty-fifth element. Padma Purāṇa 6.226.22-23 The Lord holds his servant on his heart. ādhavo hṛdayaṁ mahyaṁ sādhūnāṁ hṛdayaṁ tv aham mad-anyat te na jānanti nāhaṁ tebhyo manāg api The pure devotee is always within the core of my heart, and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything else but me, and I do not know anyone else but them. SB 9.4.68 evaṁ sva-bhaktayo rājan bhagavān bhakta-bhaktimān uṣitvādiśya san-mārgaṁ punar dvāravatīm agāt O King, thus the Personality of Godhead, who is devoted to his own devotees, stayed for some time with his two great devotees Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva, teaching them the behavior of perfect saints. Then the Lord returned to Dvārakā. SB 10.86.59 The effulgence of the Kaustubha which spreads everywhere is the Śrīvatsa on the Lord’s right upper chest. This is a fine curl of white hair whirling clockwise. This supports his vibhūti called dharma. Though not mentioned, on his left chest is the Lakṣmī-rekhā, a golden line similar to the line on a testing stone. That supports his vibhūti known as royal wealth.
On the Lord's chest the Kaustubha gem represents the pure spirit soul, along with the Srivatsa mark. The soul is treasured by the Lord, kept close to His heart. We are not anonymous.
Reflection Questions
  • Do I sense myself 'kept close' by Him, or far?
  • What helps me lean into the closeness rather than rehearse distance?
📝 My note

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