Verse Text
makarī-patra-bhaṅgāḍhyaṁ citraṁ pīta-sitāruṇam |
tathā viśeṣako ’pi syād anyad ūhyaṁ svayaṁ budhaiḥ ||357||
Translation
The body tilaka (citram) is yellow, white and reddish, filled with pictures of makarīs [Note: Makara is often translated as crocodile, the carrier of Gaṅgā-devī. However, usually in temple art it is a combination of many animals: jaws of a crocodile with pointed teeth, scales of a fish, the tail of a peacock, the trunk of an elephant, the eyes of a monkey, and the tusks of a boar. Makarī indicates a female makara. The term makarī patra however can also indicate curly patterns in general.] The forehead tilaka (viśeṣaka) is also yellow, white or red. Intelligent persons also modify these into other colors spontaneously.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
Artistic paintings with sandalwood pulp and colored sandalwood were also to be found on the body of Kṛṣṇa.