Verse Text
yathā vā padyāvalyām (77) –
dhyānātītaṁ kim api paramaṁ ye tu jānanti tattvaṁ
teṣām āstāṁ hṛdaya-kuhare śuddha-cinmātra ātmā |
asmākaṁ tu prakṛti-madhuraḥ smera-vaktrāravindo
megha-śyāmaḥ kanaka-paridhiḥ paṅkajākṣo ’yam ātmā ||28||
Translation
Another example, from Padyāvalī: Let the ātmā of pure consciousness reside in the hearts of those who know the supreme truth beyond meditation. But may that ātmā with sweet nature, with lotus eyes, yellow cloth, complexion of a rain cloud, and slightly smiling lotus face, remain in our hearts.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
The first part of the verse expresses the inferiority of realizing ātmā because even though it is the object of knowledge, it cannot be known in detail. The ātmā with lotus eyes is superior because He is the Supreme Lord and most attractive.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
In Padyāvalī a devotee says, “Persons who are attached to speculative knowledge for self-realization, who have decided that the supreme truth is beyond meditation and who have thus become situated in the mode of goodness—let them peacefully execute their engagement. As for us, we are simply attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is by nature so pleasing, who possesses a complexion like a blackish cloud, who is dressed in yellow garments and who has beautiful lotuslike eyes. We wish only to meditate upon Him.”